At this rate, the Boston Celtics will have to start their two way players soon.
With three players already a scratch against the Dallas Mavericks, Gordon Hayward will join Robert Williams III, Vincent Poirier and Marcus Smart on the injured list, reports Yahoo Sports’ Keith Smith.
Down nearly a third of their team to injury, the Hospital Celtics are back in full effect now that the Indiana native plans to rest a sore foot.
Hayward had reportedly been feeling bothered by his left foot for some days now, according to head coach Brad Stevens (via 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Marc Bertrand and Scott Zolak).
Jayson Tatum will play tonight at Dallas, but add Gordon Hayward to list of Celtics who got less healthy after a 5-day period between games. Hayward is out with a sore left foot. https://t.co/Yru4yzcaIQ
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) December 18, 2019
He’d been feeling discomfort since Tuesday’s practice, reports NBC Sports’ Chris Forsberg, and did some work under observation of the training staff.
While guard Marcus Smart did not make the trip to Dallas after the infection keeping him out of games spread from one eye to his other he ought to be available soon if not against the Mavs.
Centers Rob Williams and Vincent Poirier will remain out for several weeks with a bone edema and broken finger respectively, putting the team’s frontcourt rotations under stress.
Particularly with big man Enes Kanter’s ability to travel to their Christmas Day match with the Toronto Raptors unresolved.
Celtics injury report vs. Dallas
Gordon Hayward – Sore Left Foot – OUT
Vincent Poirier – Right Pinkie Fracture – OUT
Marcus Smart – Left Eye Infection – OUT
Robert Williams – Left Hip Bone Edema – OUT— Taylor Snow (@taylorcsnow) December 18, 2019
It is unknown whether Hayward’s malady is related to the devastating injury sustained just moments into his Celtics career or just run-of-the-mill wear, but early reporting of the injury appears to frame it as a minor one.
But, the team is already thin, and may need to recall Carsen Edwards to help on the wing if the Indianapolis native will miss extended time.
For now, both he and two way guard Tremont Waters are to play with the G League team in the Las Vegas G League Showcase the following day, where two way center Tacko Fall will likely join them before heading back to Boston to conduct the Boston Pops.
Fall is likely to see at least a little time against Dallas despite the fact the team has rookie Romeo Langford available to play with the parent club, as Hayward’s absence will require a little more help from smaller players who might otherwise play small-ball five for stints, like rookie Grant Williams.