Boston Celtics backup center Aron Baynes has had his injury status upgraded to questionable prior to Sunday’s game against the Houston Rockets. Baynes has missed Boston’s last 11 games while nursing a left foot contusion.
Baynes, who bruised the cuboid bone on his left foot in January, has been a vital piece of the Celtics’ defense since signing with Boston in 2017.
The seven-year NBA veteran has been highly regarded for his toughness, energy and awareness — particularly on the defensive end — and there’s little question as to how the New Zealand-born Aussie has developed a reputation that precedes him following successful stints in San Antonio and Detroit under Hall of Fame-worthy head coaches.
The tutelage of Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich and Pistons former head coach Stan Van Gundy had Baynes well-prepared to anchor Boston’s defense and be the interior presence Celtics head coach Brad Stevens needed on that end.
Baynes has averaged 5.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 0.6 blocks in 14.9 minutes per game this season while shooting 46.6 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from three-point range. He’s missed 29 games this season, while battling an increasingly long list of injuries.
