Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big story line. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
Once back in town, Turner’s injury was confirmed as a left eye abrasion by Dr. Michael Goldstein and Dr. Caroline Baumal at New England Baptist Hospital on Monday.
The 6-foot-6 Turner suffered a left eye injury in the closing seconds of Boston’s 107-100 win over the Los Angeles Lakers which clinched the Celtics’ playoff berth.
He was attempting to grab a loose ball when Lakers forward Julius Randle inadvertently hit him in the face.
After holding the left side of his face for a few seconds, Turner rose to his feet and sprinted towards the locker room with Celtics head trainer Ed Lacerte not far behind.
The potential absence of Turner deprives Boston of a player who has proven himself to arguably be their most versatile performer as well as their most reliable reserve.
If I told you 6 months ago that the Celtics playoff seeding would hinge on Evan Turner’s health in the final weeks of the seasons, you would have called me crazy. But it’s true.
The Celtics (Wed. vs NO) are tied with Atlanta (vs PHX tonight) and a half game ahead of Miami (vs DET tonight) and Charlotte (vs TOR tonight). Playoff positioning is going to change by the day.
I’ll take any seed that includes home court advantage in the 1st round. I’d also love to play Miami and end Dirty Dwyane Wade’s season.
As for Turner’s injury, Kevin O’Connor of CSNNE/SB Nation/Celtics Blog says several players suffered a similar injury this season:
Eye abrasion for Evan Turner. With the same injury, Noel & Gay missed two games, Bass & Love missed one, Gibson wore goggles & missed none.
— Kevin O’Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) April 4, 2016
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On Page 2, getting to know Thon Maker.
23. Boston Celtics
Thon Maker
Australia
Age: 19
ForwardThis is the third first-round pick for the Celtics and gives GM Danny Ainge a chance to take a big risk.
Maker’s surprise decision to enter the draft caught everyone off guard. If the NBA agrees with him that he’s eligible — still a big if — Maker will be the biggest question mark in the draft. He has the size, length, motor and mobility of a lottery pick. He also has an emerging 3-point shot that’s attractive. But he is painfully thin and very, very raw.
The Celtics are already extremely young. The the idea of using a roster spot on a teenager who makes James Young look like a savvy veteran isn’t appealing in the least.
Ford has the Celtics taking Kentucky guard Jamal Murray at 5 and Michigan State forward Deyonta Davis at 12.
I have a weird feeling the C’s are going to end up in the top 3.
The rest of the links
Herald – Health, form trump playoff seed | Globe – Cs take aim at 3rd seed | WEEI – Brandon Ingram declares for draft | Mass Live – IT says Cs want more this year
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