Pivotal pair miss series opener
Horford in COVID protocols; Smart still has pain in foot
MIAMI >> Timing hasn’t been a Celtics virtue all season, and their entry into the 2022 Eastern Conference Finals will be no different.
Not only was Marcus Smart unable to play in Game 1 Tuesday night after spraining his right foot in Sunday’s Game 7 win over Milwaukee, Al Horford was also a late scratch after entering health and safety protocol for the third time this season.
Ime Udoka said he was given word two hours before his pregame press conference, though he would not say whether Horford, after going through a full morning shootaround with his teammates, had tested positive.
“As always, we don’t comment on the status of our guys,” said the Celtics coach. “He’s feeling fine, and we’ll go from there, wait to see results and tests and future tests. Like always, I don’t comment on our status of our guys.
“Regarding Al, it’s testing that has to be — a certain number has to be passed. I don’t know if it’s specific days, but a specific number of tests have to be passed.”
Horford had a five-game absence in mid-December following a positive test, and another absence during exhibition season. Though he acknowledged late in the season in a published report that he was vaccinated, Horford had avoided answering that question all season.
He now faces the standard of a minimum fourday absence or two negative tests, and as such Udoka would not rule Horford out of Game 2 on Thursday night.
“It’s unsure. It’s more of a medical question, honestly,” he said. “But there are different protocols and tests that have to be passed, and we’ll know going forward, but it’s not a definite that he’s out for two games.”
Horford’s participation in the morning shootaround considered, there’s the possibility of spread among his teammates, though Udoka wouldn’t address the issue.
“I’m honestly unsure about that as of now,” he said.
A smarting injury
Smart, visibly limping as he arrived at the arena Tuesday night, did not respond well to therapy on his sore right foot following the shootaround.
“The soreness was too much, still some swelling, and limited basketball movements that he couldn’t do,” said Udoka. “It was a possibility that he reacted well to treatment today and got better in these hours, but it wasn’t enough. Took a nasty fall, kind of got bent up awkwardly, and the soreness is too much to go. Tried it out, tested it this morning, and we’ll see how he feels tomorrow after some more treatment and time off.”
The Celtics guard is now dealing with his second debilitating injury this postseason after missing one game against Milwaukee with a quad contusion, He tested out his foot during Tuesday morning’s shootaround at FTX Arena, to no avail.
Smart was replaced in the starting lineup by Derrick White. The point guard’s issues emerged after he cooled down following the Celtics’ Game 7 win over Milwaukee.
“Obviously in the game, as your adrenaline is going and you keep moving, it didn’t tighten up until after the game,” said Udoka. “We saw him limping some in the second half due to that. It happened in the first half and he played through it. After the game it was obviously very sore.”
Time Lord renaissance
Rob Williams, little-used lately as he recovers from a flare-up of pain and swelling in his surgically repaired left knee, was destined for a heavier minutes load as the result of Horford’s absence.
“Rob has looked better throughout the last week,” said Udoka. “He was obviously available for Game 7 (against Milwaukee) on an as-needed basis and we were comfortable with who we had so we didn’t go there, but Rob has looked better every day and was able to play in Game 7, so he’ll be back with no minute restriction tonight.”