Post by Admin on Nov 18, 2022 15:12:16 GMT -5
Marcus Smart out, Malcolm Brogdon available against Pelicans
By Brian Robb |
Smart was upgraded to questionable ahead of Friday’s tilt at the Smoothie King Center but the team ruled him out on Friday afternoon due to ankle inflammation. Derrick White started in his place on Wednesday night against the Hawks, putting up a double-double in Boston’s win over the Hawks.
The encouraging news for the Celtics comes in another area of the backcourt though where Brogdon has been cleared to return from a hamstring injury. Brogdon missed the last four games due to the ailment and his past durability issues have Boston’s training staff likely playing it extra safe with the veteran guard who has excelled coming off Boston’s bench to begin the year. On Friday night, his return will be valuable against a rolling Pelicans squad that ranks in the NBA’s top-10 in both offensive and defensive rating to begin the year.
With Smart out, Payton Pritchard will remain in line for minutes off the bench alongside Brogdon with the hope of building on another productive performance after he was re-inserted into the team’s rotation last Friday.
Zion Williamson remains questionable for the Pelicans with a foot injury and he’s missed his last two games for New Orleans. The 12-3 Celtics face off with the 9-6 Pelicans at 8:30 p.m. ET on Friday night.
The encouraging news for the Celtics comes in another area of the backcourt though where Brogdon has been cleared to return from a hamstring injury. Brogdon missed the last four games due to the ailment and his past durability issues have Boston’s training staff likely playing it extra safe with the veteran guard who has excelled coming off Boston’s bench to begin the year. On Friday night, his return will be valuable against a rolling Pelicans squad that ranks in the NBA’s top-10 in both offensive and defensive rating to begin the year.
With Smart out, Payton Pritchard will remain in line for minutes off the bench alongside Brogdon with the hope of building on another productive performance after he was re-inserted into the team’s rotation last Friday.
Zion Williamson remains questionable for the Pelicans with a foot injury and he’s missed his last two games for New Orleans. The 12-3 Celtics face off with the 9-6 Pelicans at 8:30 p.m. ET on Friday night.
