Good news for the Boston Celtics: center Tristan Thompson is not listed on the team's injury report ahead of Wednesday's season opener against the Milwaukee Bucks.
No Tristan Thompson on Celtics injury report for Wednesday’s opener. pic.twitter.com/bylpUpRxyB
— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) December 22, 2020
Thompson sat out both of the Celtics' preseason games due to a right hamstring strain. However, he was a full participant in practices on Saturday and Monday.
Tristan Thompson fully participated in his first practice today, and he’s looking to elevate our team with his energy and competitiveness pic.twitter.com/jWSrqhUXJ3
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) December 19, 2020
Head coach Brad Stevens said Tristan Thompson has looked good so far, but he wanted feedback from the team's medical staff and Thompson on whether he could play Wednesday before making a call, per The Athletic's Jared Weiss.
The veteran big man will likely be on a minutes restriction, according to head coach Stevens, considering he hasn't played NBA basketball for nine months.
Tristan Thompson practiced today and Brad Stevens said he looked good. He will follow the lead of the medical team and Tristan's feedback as to whether he plays v. MIL, keeping in mind that Thompson hasn't played in 9 months. He'll be on a minutes restriction when he does return.
— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) December 21, 2020
Earlier on Tuesday, Stevens expressed his hope that Thompson would be ready to go against Milwaukee.
“Tristan went through today. We didn’t do anything live, but he looked fine today,” the Celtics tactician said, via WEEI. “I don’t know what the plan of attack will be yet for him tomorrow. I think that he and the training staff get together and we figure that out from there. … We’re hopeful that he will play, but that’s still to be determined by them.”
Thompson signed a two-year, $19 million with Boston in November.
Daniel Theis will begin the season as the team's starting center, though Thompson could compete for that spot. Robert Williams will round out the center rotation.
Thompson played his first nine NBA seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers. In 30.2 minutes per game in 2019-20, the 29-year old averaged 12.0 points and 10.1 rebounds per game.
In other injury news, Stevens provided an update on Kemba Walker. The All-Star Celtics point guard will remain out until January at the earliest after receiving a stem cell injection in his left knee.
“Kemba is on the court doing one-on-one stuff with a coach,” Stevens said, per Radio.com. “Still no up and down, no cutting, no one else on the basket. So, still a long way away.”
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