The Boston Celtics take on the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday at home and will be without star point guard Kyrie Irving, small forward Gordon Hayward, and center Al Horford.
Kyrie Irving has shoulder stiffness, Al Horford has been dealing with patellar tendinitis and it just hasn't healed, and Gordon Hayward is sick.
Per #Celtics, Al Horford (left knee soreness) and Gordon Hayward (illness) are both OUT for tonight’s game against New Orleans. They join Kyrie Irving (shoulder), Aron Baynes (ankle) and Guerschon Yabusele (ankle) who are also OUT tonight. pic.twitter.com/nLc4ksm3LG
— A. Sherrod Blakely (@ASherrodblakely) December 10, 2018
The Celtics are 15-10 on the season, fifth place in the Eastern Conference. They are coming off a 56-point road win against the lowly Chicago Bulls over the weekend at the United Center.
In his second season with Boston, Kyrie Irving is averaging 21.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game while shooting 48.6 percent from the field, 39.2 percent from beyond the arc and 80.6 percent from the free-throw line. Celtics head coach Brad Stevens told reporters he doesn't believe Irving's injury is a long term issue.
After missing the entire season last year due to the gruesome left ankle fracture he suffered on opening night in Cleveland, Gordon Hayward has been a little rusty this season. The 28-year-old is averaging 10.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists and shooting 41.0 percent from the floor and 33.3 percent from the 3-point line. Hayward has been coming off the bench since Nov. 17.
Al Horford has been his usual steady self for the Celtics. The five-time All-Star is averaging 12.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game and shooting an efficient 49.1 percent from the floor.
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