BOSTON – Kyrie Irving is doubtful for tomorrow’s game against Toronto, but not for the reason most expected.
Irving had to leave Friday’s game less than two minutes into it after taking a blow to the face that led to the Celtics’ medical staff monitoring him for a possible concussion.
However, the team announced on Saturday that Irving was doubtful for the Raptors game after suffering “a minor facial fracture.”
Irving took an inadvertent elbow to the face from teammate Aron Baynes. It is unclear exactly where the fracture occurred.
If Irving misses what would be his first game of the season, there are a number of directions Boston could turn to in order to fill his spot in the starting lineup.
The most likely replacement for him is Marcus Smart, who was brought into the game when he went down in the first quarter of Boston’s 90-87 win over the Hornets. And when the second half began with the starters against Charlotte, Smart was once again on the floor.
Boston Celtics
If not Smart, Boston may turn to Terry Rozier or Shane Larkin who scored a season-high 16 points in Boston’s 11th straight win on Friday.
The news is much more optimistic for Al Horford, who has missed the last two games by Boston after being in the league’s concussion protocol program. He is listed as probable for tomorrow’s game against Toronto.
Celtics head coach Brad Stevens has said the past few days that Horford was close to returning to the lineup. Prior to Friday’s game against Charlotte, the Celtics had upgraded Horford from being out for sure, to being questionable shortly before tip-off. Eventually the Celtics decided to keep him out of action.