WALTHAM, Mass. -- The Boston Celtics are in a heated battle to stay among the upper echelon teams in the Eastern Conference.
But lately, the Green team finds itself battling a new foe: injuries.
Isaiah Thomas did not practice with the Celtics on Wednesday because of a sore left (shooting) wrist injury, the same wrist that has been surgically repaired twice.
“I fell on my wrist a few times and it flared up on me,” Thomas said. “I’m just trying to rest it and get some treatments.”
The injury isn’t considered a long-term setback, evident by the fact that he is expected to start Thursday night against Milwaukee.
“They wanted me to sit out and rest it. It got swollen on me the other night. And us being cautious … I’ve had two procedures on it, so just trying to get the swelling out.”
Unfortunately for Boston, Thomas won’t be the only player at less than full strength when the Celtics host the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night.
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Marcus Smart did participate in the team’s practice on Wednesday, but afterwards his right thumb was heavily taped. But he indicated after practice on Wednesday that he will be ready to go.
“It’s a little sore today,” Smart said. “It’s alright. I just have to keep icing it, treatments, it’ll be alright.”
There’s never a good time for players to be hurt or limited due to injuries, but the timing of Thomas and Smart being less than full strength could not be any worst.
Boston is in the middle of a highly contested battle for home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
The Celtics (33-25) are currently fourth in the Eastern Conference, trailing Miami (32-24) by percentage points.
Every game, every available player on the Celtics roster is needed in order for them to close out this season strong.
They are already dealing with Kelly Olynyk’s right shoulder injury that will keep him out for at least a couple more weeks.
But the Celtics have avoided making excuses whether it’s an unkind schedule or an unexpected injury.
And with two key players likely to be at less than full strength during a critical stretch of the season, the Celtics will continue to make the best of the situation.
Regardless of whether they are at full strength or not, the formula for success for Boston doesn’t change.
“Everybody has to play together,” said Boston’s Marcus Smart. “Everybody has to be on a string.”