The Boston Celtics might be dealing with a host of injuries, but they aren’t alone.
A day after beating the Dallas Mavericks without Luka Doncic and missing four of their own players, news is circulating the team will face the Toronto Raptors on Christmas Day down several players including one who might otherwise be a very literal big problem for the team.
That player would be center Marc Gasol, who ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports will miss “a period of weeks with a left hamstring injury”, which would presumably have the Spaniard out well beyond the two teams meeting next Wednesday.
Toronto’s early-season MVP candidate wing Pascal Siakam is reportedly going to be out “indefinitely” after straining his groin against the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday, reports TSN Sports’ John Lewenberg.
Toronto Raptors center Marc Gasol will miss a period of weeks with a left hamstring injury, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 19, 2019
Shooting guard Norman Powell will also miss an indeterminate amount of time after a subluxation of his left shoulder also sustained against the Pistons
While it’s never good form to celebrate injury, the Celtics can breathe a sigh of relief knowing their roster — significantly impinged by injury and other issues itself — will be less taxed by Toronto as a result.
The grind of an 82-game season has taken its toll on nearly every team in the league by now, Boston especially. An aging Gasol, who has never been durable, probably should take such high-recurrence injuries with care.
The two young wings are an unfortunate scratch, however.
Injury update from the Raptors lists Marc Gasol (strained left hamstring), Norm Powell (subluxation of the left shoulder) AND, an unexpected addition, Pascal Siakam (stretched groin) are all OUT indefinitely. Brutal. pic.twitter.com/2TCHdd9ku8
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) December 20, 2019
Currently logging career lows in scoring (6.6 points per game), near-basket accuracy (.352 from two) and free throw attempts (just one per game), it’s clear time is beginning to slow the Barcelonian.
Siakam has been logging Giannis Antetokounmpo-like stat lines for much of the season however, averaging 25.1 points, 8 boards, 3.6 assists, a steal and a block per game this season.
Powell has been a major part of his team’s offense as well, logging 14.4 points per game.
Reserve floor general Fred Van Vleet is day-to-day with lingering knee discomfort, but should return soon, relates the Toronto Sun’s Ryan Woldstadt.
While the nationally-televised game won’t have as many stars as the NBA likely hoped, it may at least have some unusual lineups deployed on both sides as Toronto and the Celtics try to find ways to make up for key players who will likely be resting on the holiday.