Boston Celtics reveal injury update ahead of Game 2 matchup in Eastern Conference Finals
The Boston Celtics are closer to having a full lineup ahead of Game 2 of their Eastern Conference Finals matchup on Thursday night against the Miami Heat. According to the Associated Press, Al Horford is set to be back on the floor tonight for Boston as is key defender Marcus Smart.
Their return couldn’t come at a better time as the Celtics currently trail the Heat in the series 1-0. Horford was in health and safety protocol in Game 1, and Smart suffered a foot sprain in Game 7 of the Celtics’ blowout victory against the Milwaukee Bucks.
While the team will have Smart and Horford back in the lineup, they will still be without Derrick White, according to CBS Sports. White’s wife is having a baby.
Smart’s defense is big for the Celtics and he’s the glue guy that makes them click on the defensive end. He’s also an excellent passer on the offensive side of the floor and helps to keep the basketball moving through their offensive sets.
With a nearly full arsenal of weapons at their disposal tonight, the Celtics will look to rebound in Game 2. Tip-time is set for 8:30 p.m EST at Miami. The game will be televised on ESPN.
Background information on Game 1 between the Celtics and Heat
Smart was named the 2021-22 NBA Defensive Player of the Year for the Celtics. He averaged 14 points per game, 3.5 rebounds and 5.7 assists in their series against the Bucks. Horford erupted for a career game in Game 4 against the Bucks and averaged 13 points, 10.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists in that series for the Celtics.
The Miami Heat also suffered a major injury setback in Game 1 of the Heat-Celtics series as PJ Tucker went to the locker room with an ankle injury. The former Texas forward suffered what appeared to be a non-contact injury while defending a play in the middle of the second quarter, as he left in the middle of a play by limping towards the bench.
Once he reached the bench, medical staff looked at him as he sat on the ground before he stood up under his own power and limped into the locker room for further evaluation. He would return to the court in the second half, with his injury appearing to be less serious than initially thought.
Ultimately, Miami won Game 1 of the series by a score of 118-107 after a dominant third quarter. The Celtics led at the half by 62-54, but were held to just 43 points in the second half by a much more focused Miami defense. The Heat were led by Jimmy Butler again who filled up the stat sheet. Butler ended with 41 points, nine rebounds, five assists, four steals and three blocks.
On3’s Austin Brezina also contributed to this article