Despite suffering a broken nose less than 24 hours ago, Daniel Theis is with the Boston Celtics and will be available to play tonight against the Memphis Grizzlies.
“He’s cleared to play,” said Celtics coach Brad Stevens, adding that Theis will wear a non-fitted mask tonight if he does see action off Boston’s bench. “It’s not a fitted mask but it’s as close as they could make it.”
Following Boston’s 107-95 loss to Utah on Friday night, Theis was initially not expected to travel with the team. But soon after, it was determined that the 25-year-old rookie would indeed be on the flight to Memphis to potentially play.
Boston’s Kyrie Irving suffered a facial fracture against Charlotte on Nov. 10 and played 13 games with the mask.
More recently, Jaylen Brown missed a game due to right eye irritation and had to wear goggles for three games.
“I can’t keep track of all our facial gear right now,” quipped Stevens. “We’re just glad he (Theis) is OK.”
Boston Celtics
Stevens said Theis will have to get his nose re-set at some point soon which would result in him likely missing a day or two.
Still, it says a lot about Theis’ willingness to still play despite an injury that for most players, results in them missing a game or two right away.
“It looked like he may have just got hit on the bridge,” Stevens said. “He feels good otherwise, he says.”
While Theis doesn’t put up eye-popping numbers off the Celtics bench, the energy that he tends to play with on a night-in, night-out basis for Boston is important for this team.
“I just want to come in, bring energy, defend, rebound, do whatever to help the team,” Theis recently told NBC Sports Boston. “Whatever to win, I want to do.”