The Celtics may get a needed jolt to the lineup on Sunday as center Al Horford has been upgraded to probable for the team’s game against the Hornets, the team announced.
Horford has missed the Celtics’ last seven games with, during which time Boston has gone 4-3. However, the Celtics have lost their last three games, which prompted a team meeting following a 13-point loss to the Bucks at home on Friday.
In 22 games this season, Horford has averaged 12.4 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 3.4 APG and shot 49.1% from the field. With Aron Baynes sidelined, the Celtics have missed the presence of an experienced big man on defense, which Horford — along with rookie Robert Williams — would provide upon his return.
Despite the recent struggles, the Celtics still wield an 18-13 record, good for a fifth place in the Eastern Conference. With a healthy Horford in tow, Boston would be in good position to snap out of the three-game losing streak.
Horford the new Baynes, Williams the new Perkins?
So I have suffered from the same injury as has been reported for Al Horford (Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome) and though the ‘injury’ (which is better characterized as consistent, built up wear and tear vs an ‘injury’) was 10 years ago I still cannot even take a round of batting practice (my injury was baseball related) without ending in excruciating pain. “Rest” has never been a sufficient fix and though there is a surgical option it was described to me as “sometimes helpful in alleviating SOME of the pain” — so my main concern/point here is that I fear Horford will never really be able to come back to full strength. It’s not an injury that is entirely debilitating – it has always been a “pain management” or “tolerance” issue (at least for me) — so my guess is he can play as long as he can tolerate the pain…? Have there been any more updates/explanations as to what the plan is for him going forward? Because I just don’t see how he’s going to have ‘magically’ recovered by sitting out for a few games…