WALTHAM, Mass. -- During Boston's 123-111 Game 1 win over Washington, Wizards forward Markieff Morris suffered a left ankle injury when he landed on Al Horford's foot.
After the game, Morris alluded to the possibility that Horford may have undercut him intentionally.
“He stepped right under my foot,” said Morris who is questionable to play in Game 2 due to the injury. “Not sure if it was intentional or not; probably not, but that’s what happened. Rolled it on his foot.”
A report by CSN Mid-Atlantic mentioned a similar incident occurred a couple years ago in which Wizards guard Bradley Beal landed on Horford's foot after the 6-foot-10 big man stepped out to contest a jumper.
“I understand that he's frustrated,” Horford said. “One of my strengths is on defense and challenging shots. It was a tough break. I really feel bad for him. You don't want anybody to get hurt. He's a great player. I hope that he's able to play tomorrow.”
Horford has been among the NBA’s leaders in contested shots this postseason. And in Game 1 he contested 20 shots which led all players.
Morris said he will be on the floor playing in Game 2.
“Feeling better,” Morris told reporters on Monday. “The swelling went down a whole lot. I’m just going to keep treating it and get ready for Game Two.”
And as far as whether he will get the medical clearance to play, Morris said, “there’s nothing the doctors can say to me for me not to be able to play.”
But Wizards head coach Scott Brooks isn’t as optimistic despite Morris receiving around-the-clock treatments since the injury occurred.
“It’s a sprain and our medical team will all get together and do what’s best for him,” Brooks told reporters on Monday. “But right now he’s out until we see how he feels tomorrow.”
While much of the talk surrounding Morris and his ability to impact this series lies in what he brings to the game offensively – he has averaged 10.3 points and 5.1 rebounds per game in seven playoff games – it was his defense that the Wizards sorely missed in Game 1.
Boston’s primary scoring big man, Horford, had a near triple-double of 21 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds.
Morris’ injury occurred with 7:18 to play in the first half.
After Morris’ departure, Horford was 8-for-11 from the field with 17 points, five assists and eight rebounds.
