Celtics coach Ime Udoka cautiously optimistic Jaylen Brown, Al Horford may return by season opener

There’s a slim chance Boston could be at full strength for the season opener, per coach Udoka.

Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka spoke with the press about the impact of losing the  All-Star forward Jaylen Brown and veteran big man Al Horford to positive COVID-19 test results in the thick of the team’s 2021-22 slate of preseason games ahead of their second meeting with the Orlando Magic on Wednesday.

While not exactly “good” news, Udoka related that Brown is expected back for the start of the season with some luck, and there was a chance — though it would be far from certain — that Horford might join the team again as well if things went Boston’s way.

“It’s going to be very close,” he explained. “We’ll see what happens with that, but we should definitely have Jaylen back by then.”