The Boston Celtics may get a little help on the injury front if recent reporting from Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes pans out on the optimistic timeline mentioned for point guard Marcus Smart pans out. While Haynes doubts that big man Al Horford will return in time for Game 2 against the Miami Heat in the East finals, there is hope the Flower Mound native could, “dependent on how his foot responds to treatment over the next 36 hours.”
During Game 1 against the Heat on Tuesday, center Robert Williams III appeared to aggravate the same knee a collision with Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo caused Timelord to miss much of the prior round of the Celtics’ playoffs — the same knee Williams had operated on near the end of the regular season for a meniscal tear. But speaking after the team practiced on Thursday, Williams revealed he’d merely cramped up.
“Basic fatigue, treatment-wise,” explained the Texas A&M product of his apparent injury. “Other than that, I’m straight ready to roll. It’s always a next man up mentality; we’ve been going through that all year.”
Neither player will suit up for the first contest in the 2022 East finals series. https://t.co/oFmuKKl0nb
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) May 18, 2022
With Haynes’ reporting that Horford is unlikely to return before at least Game 3, Williams’ health moving forward is a critical part of Boston’s depth in the frontcourt.
Having Daniel Theis and Grant Williams provides at least some degree of cushion against a total disaster healthwise, but the remaining frontcourt players on Boston’s roster would not likely be up to the task of playing against a team like the Heat save in shorter bursts.
This post originally appeared on Celtics Wire. Follow us on Facebook!
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