The Boston Celtics will be eager to go back to winning ways after dropping their last two games when they play the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night to begin their NBA In-Season Tournament run. However, if Al Horford’s injury situation is any indication, the Celtics are approaching this game exactly like they would any other regular season game, as Jaylen Brown noted.
The 37-year-old big man will miss the Celtics’ Friday night game against the Nets due to injury management, according to the team’s most recent injury report submitted to the league. The Celtics will miss the two-way contributions of Horford, who stands out as one of the team’s most important weapons in their rotation. Luke Kornet has also played occasionally, but his appearances have been more matchup-dependent due to his lack of mobility when guarding the perimeter. Without Horford, expect the likes of Oshae Brissett and possibly even Lamar Stevens.
However, the Celtics should be able to get by without one of their most defensively tenacious big men against the Nets, since Brooklyn is currently dealing with a frontcourt plagued by injuries. The Nets will be missing Ben Simmons and Nicolas Claxton on Friday night, even though Cam Johnson is returning from injury. As a result, Brooklyn will likely use Dorian Finney-Smith as a small-ball five, with Day’Ron Sharpe trying to contribute shots off the bench.
Since the Celtics have been so cautious with Horford’s health over the past few seasons, this shouldn’t be a major concern for him. Horford might be better served missing this Friday night game against the Nets than the Toronto Raptors showdown for matchup-related reasons. This is the first game of a back-to-back set. Horford should be useful in that game, especially since the other Celtics players will be more worn out by then. The Raptors, after all, are a bigger team.
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