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On the second night of a back-to-back, the Boston Celtics will get a starter back, but will be down at least one key reserve and maybe a second one.
Al Horford has been removed from the Celtics injury report tonight. He's available to play.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) November 24, 2018
Gordon Hayward is OUT with left ankle soreness.
Terry Rozier is QUESTIONABLE with left knee soreness.
Al Horford is returning after missing last night’s game in Atlanta with left knee soreness. It was his first missed game of the season. Marcus Morris Sr. started in his place against the Hawks.
Gordon Hayward will miss his second game of the season. He previously sat out the second night of a back-to-back in the first week of the season. Since then, Hayward had played in every game. But after carrying a heavy minutes’ load recently, Hayward is going to sit out tonight’s game. Per a team source, the soreness in his surgically repaired left ankle isn’t anything serious and Hayward should be fine to play next game.
Terry Rozier popping up on the injury report is somewhat surprising, as he didn’t seem to suffer any sort of injury against the Hawks last night. He played a team-high 25 minutes and finished out the game without any hint of an ailment.
With Horford back, expect Morris to return to his customary reserve role. Semi Ojeleye will likely see increased minutes once again with Hayward out. If Rozier can’t play, it could vault Brad Wanamaker into a bigger role.