The Boston Celtics are set to play the Washington Wizards despite potential COVID-19 exposures to the D.C. – based team via the Philadelphia 76ers this Friday, Jan. 8 at 7 pm ET, but they’ll be doing so without a number of their own players due to contact tracing, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Initially including reserve guard Carsen Edwards, the Purdue product has been upgraded to available per the team after Charania reports he was not in close contact with the positive case, revealed to be Robert Williams III, per the Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach. Now, Boston will see Time Lord and Grant Williams as well as Tristan Thompson sit for as long as a week while that issue is sorted.
#NEBHInjuryReport update:
Carsen Edwards – AVAILABLE
Tristan Thompson (Health & Safety Protocols) – OUT
Grant Williams (Health & Safety Protocols) – OUT
Robert Williams (Health & Safety Protocols) – OUT https://t.co/wr8MkDqTQh— Boston Celtics (@celtics) January 8, 2021
The Texas A&M product is reportedly asymptomatic.
Add in that Boston remains without starting point guard Kemba Walker and wing Romeo Langford as they get back into game shape after long convalescences and veteran guard Jeff teague still questionable with a sprained ankle, and it should make for some creative rotations on Boston’s end.
As for the Wiz, assuming no issues are revealed regarding COVID-19 exposure in their game with the 76ers, the team is expected to be at full health.
