In a hectic January schedule, it maybe a blessing that the Boston Celtics are deep and their schedule comparatively light.
With only a handful of teams possessing a winning record on a slate without consecutive days off until the All-Star break, we may see Celtics players rest against inferior foes.
And from what we’re hearing from the team today, All-NBA point guard Kemba Walker may well be on that list Jan. 3 whether he likes it or not.
As first-time All-Star hopeful Jaylen Brown seems poised to return from a sinus infection Friday when the team faces the Atlanta Hawks, news is that the UConn product is dealing with flu-like symptoms, and is likely to miss the first contest of 2020 as a result, reports NBC Sports Boston’s Chris Forsberg.
Missing practice Thursday due to the illness, the former Charlotte Hornet can likely rest without putting the team’s return to the win column in much jeopardy assuming Brown is able to play against the 7-27 Hawks when guard Trae Young makes his own return from injury, as Sports Illustrated’s Ben Ladner reports as imminent.
Boston Sports Journal’s Brian Robb relates that rookie reserve center Vincent Poirier remains on track for a late January return from a broken pinkie finger sustained in mid-December.
This will help Boston feel more confident in its frontcourt depth, thinned greatly as Poirier and second-year center Robert Williams (left hip edema) have both been out for some time, perhaps even granting the Frenchman some of the elusive playing time he’s yet to win so far this season.
