Nuggets hoping to get Gary Harris back "in the next week or so"

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The Denver Nuggets are reeling, having lost six of their last eight games after dropping a 116-111 decision to the Brooklyn Nets after trailing by as many as 29 points in the third quarter Wednesday night.

However, help is on the way as Gary Harris is getting close to returning the lineup.

“Hopefully in the next week or so we can get Gary Harris back,” Michael Malone said after Denver’s loss in Brooklyn.

Getting Harris back will not be a cure-all solution for the Nuggets, who are a -86 plus-minus and boast a -14.2 NetRtg in first quarters this season, which both rank second-worst in the league. Yet, Harris does provide consistency and stability to start games for Denver, something that the Nuggets have severely lacked as of late.

Harris’ familiar face and game can also help out struggling point guard Emmanuel Mudiay. The 20-year-old is successfully limiting his turnovers but is now struggling to impact the game on either end of the floor. Mudiay has just one assist in his last three games and was a -26 plus-minus over 18 minutes in Denver’s most recent loss in Brooklyn.

“Y’all don’t understand. That man there makes my life so much easier.” Mudiay said of Harris’ impact on his game earlier this season.

The Nuggets have three games remaining on their road trip and return to Pepsi Center next Thursday against the Trailblazers. That game, which is roughly a week away, is a potential return date for Harris as the Nuggets will likely look for him to get a couple practices under his belt before throwing him into a game.