With the NBA Finals getting started Thursday night, players are doing everything they can to get on the court. Both the Celtics and Warriors have dealt with their shares of injuries during these playoffs, but both teams are expected to be at full strength for Game 1.
Center Robert Williams was the lone player on the Celtics’ injury report on Wednesday, listed as questionable with a knee injury. When the team put out their final injury report Thursday evening, Williams was listed as available. The 24-year-old has been dealing with knee soreness throughout the postseason, which has caused him to miss seven games. Prior to Game 1, head coach Ime Udoka said Williams will start, but the team will try to keep him at around 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, guard Marcus Smart was removed from the report after being listed the last two rounds. Smart has been dealing with a sprained ankle as well as foot and quad injuries, all on his right side.
On Golden State’s side, head coach Steve Kerr told reporters before the game that guards Andre Igoudala and Gary Payton II was well as forward Otto Porter Jr. will all be available for the Warriors. Igoudala has been dealing with a kneck injury that has held him out since the first round, Payton hasn’t played since suffering an elbow injury midway through the second round, and Porter has a nagging foot injury that cost him the final game of the second round and the last two games of the Western Conference Finals.
Tip-off Thursday night is set for 9 p.m. from San Francisco. Coverage begins at 8:30 on 98.5 The Sports Hub and the 98.5 The Sports Hub Celtics Radio Network.
