The Hospital Celtics are back in a big way, though hopefully not for very long.
Swingman Jayson Tatum, second-year center Robert Williams III, defensive specialist Marcus Smart, and even rookie big man Vincent Poirier are beset with a laundry list of injuries, reports NBC Boston’s Chris Forsberg.
Smart has been battling illness, injury and an eye infection over the last few weeks, and the eye infection has now spread to both eyes, per the Athletic’s Jared Weiss.
Tatum has joined the ranks of the ill as well, with a sinus infection that could see him miss the team’s next game against the Dallas Mavericks on Dec. 18.
The frenchman jammed a finger badly enough recently that an x-ray was needed, though no further word at present if he’ll also need time to recuperate.
🚑 Hospital Celtics staying true to their name:
Smart’s got the double-eye infection; Jayson Tatum said he’s got a sinus infection; Vincent Porier jammed a finger and needed an X-ray; Robert Williams out with the bone edema.
Team brought Romeo Langford back for healthy body.
— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) December 16, 2019
While it’s unclear just how long that trio will be out of commision, Williams condition — previously thought to be a sore hip — is more concerning than the original diagnosis.
Doctors have determined he has a bone edema in his left hip that requires at least three weeks without basketball activities to heal, which will further limit Boston’s frontcourt flexibility until at least the first week of the new year.
While Timelord may be able to participate in upper-body strength training, it could require total rest for his lower extremities.
#NEBHInjuryReport Following further testing, Celtics center Robert Williams has been diagnosed with a bone edema in his left hip and will be required to limit his basketball activities while it heals. His status will be reassessed in approximately three weeks.
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) December 16, 2019
It’s possible his conditioning could be affected by the extended layoff, with the team planning to re-assess his condition at the end of that period.
Rookie wing Romeo Langford’s call-up earlier in the day makes more sense in this context, as the Celtics could conceivably be down both Smart and Tatum for Wednesday night’s tilt.
No word on a timetable for the Duke product to return.
Tatum’s Texan teammate was anticipated to return from his eye infection between seven and 10 days from initial diagnosis (before it spread), with today being day No. 7.
If both Smart and Tatum join Williams as unavailable vs. Dallas, they will have the small consolation of knowing that their opponent will be without its best player.
Brad Stevens says Marcus Smart’s infection has spread to both eyes and he has seen multiple specialists. He is concerned but doctors said they expect it to be a 7-10 day infection and they are currently at 7 days. He is not with the team as of now.
— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) December 16, 2019
Early-season MVP candidate Luka Doncic is likely to miss the next few weeks with an ankle sprain sustained earlier this week.
The team will then face the Detroit Pistons on Friday followed by the Charlotte Hornets on Dec. 22, giving the team a little more time to get most of its players back into a healthy state.
With a Christmas Day rematch with the 17-8 Toronto Raptors coming soon thereafter and the Raps sitting a half-game behind Boston in fifth place in the East, the team will need some quality minutes from its bench to avoid a slide in the standings.