Dorsey's knee could complicate RGV adjustment to Harris' departure

With Mike Harris’ promotion to the NBA’s Houston Rockets, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers will have a different look when they play host to Austin tonight at Hidalgo’s Dodge Arena.

It could be drastically different if Houston Rockets’ assignee Joey Dorsey, who is nursing a sore knee, can’t play. Vipers coach Chris Finch thinks Dorsey can play tonight, but there’s a chance he could sit out.

Dorsey was immediately taken to the training room to treat his knee following the Vipers’ 103-95 home win against Reno on Monday when he had 25 points and 15 rebounds, both team-highs. It was his sixth double-double this season. The decision to play him will come at game time.

“We’re just being overly-cautious,” Finch said.

Harris’ departure leaves a huge scoring void for the Vipers (7-3), who are in first place by one-half game in the NBA D-League’s Western Conference standings. Harris, who signed a non-guaranteed contract for the rest of the season with the Rockets on Wednesday, averaged a team-best 25.3 points in 10 games. That figure was second in the D-League at the time of his call up.

“We have to reshuffle things a little bit,” Finch said. “It’s a big hole to fill, no doubt. But some guys are going to step up and get a chance.”

One of those guys will be 6-9 forward Julian Sensley, who has averaged 4.2 points, 2.4 rebounds and 12.4 minutes in five games. Sensley didn’t play on Monday and played just one minute last Saturday at Tulsa.

Newly-signed guard, Craig Winder, who took Harris’ spot in the lineup, could see plenty of time. Winder is a familiar name to the Vipers’ faithful. He’s played in 88 games for the Vipers over parts of the previous two seasons.

Winder practiced with the Vipers on Thursday. Based on what he saw then, Finch thinks Winder will be a good fit.

“He suits our style,” Finch said. “He shoots the three. He’s aggressive. He could play a bigger role for us, but that remains to be seen.”

Harris’ absence also brings a huge leadership void. Harris was well-respected by his Vipers’ teammates. Finch said rookie guard Garrett Temple from LSU could help fill that role.

“I don’t think there are going to be a lot of new roles on the team,” Finch said. “Some of the guys, who have not played consistent minutes, will probably have to come in and make more of an impact. We are going to have to do some things by committee. The dynamics of the team are different now.”

David Hinojosa covers the Rio Grande Valley Vipers for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him at (956) 683-4442.