The Boston Celtics kick off their 2020-21 campaign today, Wednesday, Dec. 23 against recently-supermaxed Giannis Antetokounmpo and the revamped Milwaukee Bucks at 7:30 pm ET — and they’ll be doing so healthier than many initially expected.
Absent from the team’s injury report is a player who recently joined the team in free agency but was expected to miss the season opener with a strained hamstring, big man Tristan Thompson. The former Cleveland Cavalier vet inked a two-year, $19 million deal to join Boston this offseason, but his availability to start the season was uncertain after he injured the hamstring in a private workout.
Boston Celtics take on Giannis, Milwaukee Bucks to start ’20-21 season https://t.co/cjEmb4vbEB
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) December 22, 2020
It’s still unclear if the Canadian will actually suit up for the Celtics according to head coach Brad Stevens, who shed some light on Thompson’s availability after the team’s practice on Tuesday.
“Tristan went through today,” offered Stevens said. “We didn’t do anything live, but he looked fine today. I don’t know what the plan of attack will be yet for him tomorrow. I think he and the training staff will get together and figure it out.”
“You and I may know at the same time, or maybe we’ll have to wait until tomorrow to see. We’re hopeful that he will play, but that’s to be determined by them,” he added.
CLAB 24: Assessing the top of the East from a Nets-Celtics perspective https://t.co/8nidQ8S7HV
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) December 23, 2020
All-Star point guard Kemba Walker has progressed to doing one-on-one work on the court, but is reportedly still “a long way away” from a return as he strengthens his knee.
As is wing Romeo Langford, working his way back from surgery to repair an injured tendon — and two way center Tacko Fall is out as well, reportedly recovering from eye irritation.
Celtics legend Paul Pierce nominated for 2021 Hall of Fame class https://t.co/Fci74MzUBX
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) December 23, 2020
For the Bucks, it seems everyone but newly-signed reserve guard D.J. Augustin will be available, the veteran floor general resting due to a left calf strain.
The Celtics ought to play better than they had in the preseason injuries or no, but it’s going to be a tough watch for Boston fans if they are still playing as poorly as they were against the Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets last week.
