Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens gave an update about the general state of the team’s health after practice at Auerbach Center on Saturday, speaking to the press remotely, including a scare the team had with a rookie.
The former Butler chief brought the media up to speed on new center Tristan Thompson’s pulled hamstring that’s kept the former Cleveland Cavalier out of practice to date (“hard to say right now — he’s not been in any part of practice, yet he has done our pre practice”) as well as an update on starting point guard Kemba Walker’s progress with his knee rehabilitation (“mostly spot shooting; a little bit of movement”).
Kemba Walker talks on knee rehab, when he’ll know he’s ready https://t.co/c3kKgO6AAX
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) December 12, 2020
However he also shared a slightly concerning tidbit as well about Boston’s newest rookie floor general, who evidently injured a finger in practice.
“Payton Pritchard had his finger pop out today,” noted Stevens.
“I don’t know what the right medical term is for that but they were able to place it back and hopefully his timeline to return to practice will be sooner rather than later on his left hand. But I think everybody else has been good to go.”
While it sounds like a very minor issue, any threat to the team’s already-thin point guard rotation is sure to raise hackles.
Celtics’ Jayson Tatum a big fan of Aaron Nesmith, Payton Pritchard https://t.co/FN2PfZk2Tj
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) December 12, 2020
From the sounds of things, it seems as if it was a dislocated finger, which could require a little time off if particularly sore.
But with little time to recover with the first game of the NBA season set to kick off on Dec. 23, the Celtics may have dodged a bullet when it comes to the former Duck’s digit.
