Horford notched 11 points FG, 3Pt, FT , 11 rebounds, four blocks and two assists in 25 minutes during Friday's loss to the Raptors. Horford had a minutes restriction during his first appearance of the season after he missed Wednesday's opener due to COVID protocols.
However, he still led the Celtics on the boards and recorded a double-double in the blowout loss to Toronto. The year-old should see minutes on a regular basis once he's fully conditioned. He has a limit of minutes. Horford still needs to work on his conditioning after going through COVID protocols, but it's a great sign that he's starting the second game of the season.
Once he rounds into form, it seems likely he'll end up regularly seeing minutes. Horford conditioning is considered questionable for Friday's game against Toronto. The big man has cleared the league's COVID protocols, so at this point it's simply a matter of getting his conditioning back before he makes his season debut. The Celtics are hopeful to have the big man available Friday night, and if that's ultimately the case he'd likely take over the starting power forward spot alongside Robert Williams.
It's unclear just how much time the veteran will miss to begin the season, but the Celtics won't rush him back after he tested positive for the virus eight days ago. Udoka said Horford is "feeling good," so the hope is that the big man won't have too much catching up to do, from a conditioning perspective, before he's back on the floor. Grant Williams will get the starting nod Wednesday at power forward alongside Robert Williams, but Udoka implied that Horford will likely occupy that spot once he's back.
The big man is in the midst of a day quarantine period following a positive COVID test, and it looks like he won't have enough time to rejoin the team and get back up to speed prior to Wednesday's opener.
Horford is not expected to miss much time, however, so he'll likely be able to return Friday against Toronto or Sunday at Houston. Robert Williams projects to start at center Wednesday with Enes Kanter serving as the primary backup. While coach Ime Udoka said he expects Jaylen Brown COVID protocols to be available for the opener, Horford is facing a day quarantine period that could impact whether or not he's able to play.
It's unclear when, exactly, that quarantine period began, so Horford should be considered questionable for Opening Night until further notice. Even if the big man -- who is "feeling good," per Udoka -- is unable to play, it sounds as though he'd only miss one or two games, at the absolute maximum, to begin the campaign.
It's unclear if Horford will be cleared to play in Friday's preseason matchup although it's highly unlikely. The Celtics seem to be testing what power forward will work best for them. Player Home Game Log. Cleveland Cavaliers Game Preview. Full Standings. Points Per Game. Field Goal Percentage. Horford finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds to go along with four blocks. Definitely a little tired at times there but it was good to be back playing.
With the year-old Horford working his way back into playing shape after the time away, the Celtics had him on a minutes restriction for his first game of the season. Celtics coach Ime Udoka held true to it, taking Horford out, along with Jayson Tatum, with left to play, which essentially was Boston waving the white flag with Toronto leading at that moment. So, when his time was done in the fourth, we pulled him there, so he played 24 and a half.
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