For those wondering why Avery Bradley looked a bit sluggish in last night's loss, it turns out he has an injured rib. Chris Forsberg has the story:

Practice: Bradley sits out sessions - Chris Forsberg - ESPN Boston

Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley sat out Thursday's practice session with what coach Doc Rivers termed a rib injury suffered in Wednesday's loss to the New Orleans Hornets. Bradley will be a game-time decision for Friday's visit from the Chicago Bulls.

"He’s OK, he’s not great," Rivers said of Bradley, who was spotted before practice walking with team physician Dr. Brian McKeon. "He got hit in the ribs or somewhere; I don’t even know where he got hit. We’ll see tomorrow. He’s not going to practice or do anything today, for sure."

Rivers had previously noted that Bradley, who has played eight games in 14 days since returning from double shoulder surgery, appeared tired during Wednesday's game, but the injury might have diminished his typically relentless on-the-ball defense.

Well, I guess that puts to rest the "Doc didn't play Bradley so as not to embarrass his son" conspiracy theory. It's also led to some early fan rumbling about whether Bradley is injury-prone, but it's probably too early to come to that conclusion.

Hopefully Bradley gets well soon, because as we've seen this season, we need him.