BOSTON — Boston Celtics second-year big man Robert Williams tweaked his groin before Tuesday’s practice and did not participate in the session while undergoing an MRI.
Celtics coach Brad Stevens said the injury did not appear to be serious as Williams was not going full speed when it occurred.
“[Team trainers] didn’t think it was anything big,” said Stevens, who deployed Williams as the team’s starting center in Boston’s preseason opener against the Hornets on Sunday.
Later, Stevens added, "When we get Rob back, I’m not worried about Rob having a struggle or two. He’s really pressing to try to play hard, which I think is a good thing.”
Gordon Hayward participated in the entirety of practice after experiencing soreness in his elbow during Sunday’s exhibition win over Charlotte. Hayward seemed fine during scrimmage drills at the end of Boston’s practice but admitted he was still sore.
“It's definitely sore today,” said Hayward. "I’ve got the arm sleeve on, not just for looks. I think I just fell on it, couldn’t remember exactly when it happened. We took a look at the film, there was kind of one play, it kind of bruised up pretty badly. But it’ll be alright.”
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Hayward said the elbow initially swelled but he did not seek an MRI noting, “it’s gotten better each day.”
Rookie Romeo Langford participated fully in Tuesday’s session, engaging in live action for the first time since the start of training camp.
“Romeo went live the whole time. Played. I thought he did a lot of good things,” said Stevens. "It was encouraging. In some ways, maybe it’s good to watch for five days and get your feet wet that way.”
Daniel Theis, who sat out Sunday’s exhibition game with an adductor strain, likewise participated fully in the session.
"I actually came to the office today thinking he would be like half and half, off during the live activities, and he did everything,” said Stevens.
Stevens said the team would tread cautiously with injuries but the coach wants his players to get game reps moving forward.
“Obviously, if anybody has any issues at all, they won’t play Friday [in Orlando],” said Stevens. "Anybody that’s cleared to go, we need to play, we need to keep improving, get a little bit better. I thought today we really tried to hammer on playing with more intensity on the basketball than we did in the exhibition game. Better in the pick-and-roll coverages, I thought they were poor in the exhibition game. And all the while making good decisions as you’re playing at that tempo.”
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