For the Trail Blazers, there was an encouraging sight at the end of Tuesday’s practice: Maurice Harkless going full speed while spinning, jumping, and defending.



The small forward has missed the last eight games because of a sore left knee, but on Tuesday, he looked every bit the player team captain Damian Lillard calls the “X-factor” to the team’s success.



Still, Harkless said he would not play Wednesday in Los Angeles against the Lakers, but said it is possible he plays during the Blazers’ six-game trip.



“We’ve talked about (returning on the trip); it’s a possibility,” Harkless told The Athletic. “I just have to take it day-by-day, but I’ve been feeling pretty good about where I’m at.”



The team’s starting small forward, Harkless had surgery on the left knee to remove loose particles in March but returned three weeks later to play in Games 2 and 3 of the playoffs.