Brooklyn Nets guard Joe Harris to have season-ending ankle surgery

NEW YORK — Brooklyn Nets guard Joe Harris will have season-ending surgery on his left ankle, the team announced prior to Thursday's game against the Miami Heat.

Harris had an initial surgery on his ankle on Nov. 29 and was expected to be out only between four and eight weeks, but his ankle never healed to a point where he could get back on the floor and feel comfortable.

«Although Joe worked diligently over the past several months to rehab his ankle and exhausted every possible avenue in order to get back on the court with his teammates, it has been determined that he will require an additional arthroscopic surgery in the coming weeks,» Nets GM Sean Marks said in a statement. «While it is expected that Joe will make a full recovery following the procedure, it will unfortunately result in him missing the remainder of the regular season and the playoffs.

»We know how deeply disappointed Joe is to miss this stretch run, but he remains a huge part of who we are as an organization and while he won't be able to contribute on the court, his presence and positivity around the team will continue to be felt by all."

Harris tried to go through different rehab work over the past few weeks to get back on the floor, but Nets coach Steve Nash repeatedly said that Harris was never able to progress to a point where he was able to join the Nets in formal practices.

«He is just the quintessential teammate,» Marks said in an interview with YES Network before the game. «He is what defines a Brooklyn Net… we feel terrible for Joe and we all know just how much he means to this group.»

The Harris news comes on the night star forward Kevin Durant makes his return to the floor after missing a month and a half due to a sprained MCL in his left