WALTHAM, Mass. -- The Boston Celtics started the new year off practicing without their full complement of players.
Marcus Smart (gastro-intestinal) and Tyler Zeller (sinus infection) were both admitted to New England Baptist Hospital Sunday night, according to team officials who added that the two had yet to be discharged. That puts both player’s status for Tuesday’s game against Utah very much in limbo.
“Marcus, he has the bug that’s been going around,” said Celtics head coach Brad Stevens who added that it’s similar to an illness suffered by assistant coach Jay Larrinaga which kept him off the bench in Boston’s last two games. “And Tyler had an ear infection and some sinusitis for a while. He (Zeller) was really feeling under the weather yesterday, more so than the past couple of weeks. And he’s been battling it for a while now. Hopefully those guys get discharged soon and join us ASAP.”
Smart averages 29.5 minutes per game which ranks fifth on the team, so his absence would definitely be felt and in all likelihood result in more playing time for second-year guard Terry Rozier.
And while Zeller’s playing time has been sporadic all season, he too might see an increased role on Tuesday depending on how well – or woeful – Boston’s frontline deals with Utah’s 7-foot-3 center Rudy Gobert.
In an unrelated health note, James Young suffered a right ankle sprain injury during an optional practice session on Sunday, and was unable to practice today. It is unclear what his availability will be for Tuesday’s game.