By Alex Barth, 985TheSportsHub.com
Just when the Celtics seemed to finally be getting healthy, last night’s 119-95 win over the Memphis Grizzlies appeared to have set them back.
The team didn’t have forward Jaylen Brown for the game, he sat out after aggravating a sprained ankle in Monday’s win over the Lakers. Then, in the second half of last night’s game, forward Jayson Tatum came up limping after a missed layup. The Celtics leading scorer was taken back to the locker room, and then returned to the bench with an ice wrap on his right leg. He did not return to the game, and the team later announced he suffered a groin strain.
After the game, Celtics head coach Brad Stevens told reporters he is “not that concerned” about Tatum’s injury and his status going forward. Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge echoed that sentiment on 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Toucher & Rich Thursday morning, commenting on Jaylen Brown’s status as well…
“I think Jaylen and Jayson are fine. I think the…You know, I don’t think they have anything”.
Ainge continued by saying the players will be in the building later in the day for tests, but he doesn’t expect them to show anything serious. He also mentioned Enes Kanter, who came up limping at one point during last night’s game, appeared to be in good shape as well.
The bad news for the Celtics? They don’t have much time to rest, as they will play 11 times in the next 22 days, with a game every other day between now and the All-Star break. That includes a three-game road trip beginning tomorrow in Orlando. The team will also head west for a pair of games in mid-February against the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets, before returning to the Garden to take on the Los Angeles Clippers in their final game before the break.
The Celtics begin that three-game road trip tomorrow against the 21-24 Orlando Magic, with tip-off scheduled for 7:00 PM at the Amway Center. Sean Grande and Cedric Maxwell have the call on 98.5 The Sports Hub, with pregame coverage starting at 6:30.
You can listen to Toucher & Rich’s full interview with Danny Ainge below:
Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Hate mail? Let him hear it on Twitter @RealAlexBarth