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.
There’s bad news and good news. Jayson Tatum possibly and Al Horford definitely will not play tonight against Charlotte, but it’s sounding like their injuries are less severe than feared.
#NEBHInjuryReport Jayson Tatum’s MRI results on his right ankle came back negative. He is questionable for tomorrow vs. Charlotte.
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) November 10, 2017
Tatum left Wednesday’s win over the visiting Los Angeles Lakers in the second quarter after complaining of ankle soreness. The team performed X-rays at the arena, which were negative. Tatum underwent more imaging during Thursday’s day off and appears to be day-to-day.
ESPN Boston – MRI on ankle negative, but Celtics’ Jayson Tatum questionable vs. Hornets
#NEBHInjuryReport Al Horford will continue to be listed as out due to the NBA’s concussion protocol.
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) November 10, 2017
Celtics president of basketball ops. Danny Ainge said the team will continue to take a cautious approach with Horford.
“I don’t think this is as bad of a concussion he had last year, but with concussions you have to be really cautious,” he told 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Toucher & Rich on Thursday. “The symptoms got a little worse over the course of a couple of days. … We’ll just take it day to day. I don’t think it’s as bad as the last one, so hopefully he’ll be back soon.”
CBS Boston – Ainge On Horford: Concussion Not As Bad As Last Year, But Celtics Taking Day To Day Approach
However long Horford and Tatum are out, their teammates plan to step up. That’s what Aron Baynes (career-high 21 points) and Marcus Morris (18 points in his first home game as a Celtic) did to lead the way over L.A. – especially on a night when Kyrie Irving shot just 7-of-21.
The Celtics have been doing well to overcome injury issues. According to Marcus Morris, who has played in just three of the C’s 12 games because of knee soreness, it’s all just part of the job.
“That’s what the league’s about,” he said. “It’s always got to be next man up. Everybody in this locker room is pros, so when you’re number gets called, you have to be ready. I think Brad (Stevens, the C’s coach) does a great job. They’ve played in games before, so it’s not the first time they got in the action. They did a great job staying ready. Like I said, it’s a lot of games. You never know what’s going to happen. Tatum came out, the next guy stepped up, and we did well.”
Herald – Celtics notebook: Jayson Tatum questionable to play but MRI negative
Not to mention, In Brad We Trust.
“That’s the best thing about having a good system and a good coach,” said Celtics center Aron Baynes, who tied his career high with 21 points to go with eight rebounds on Wednesday. “He puts us in the place where we need to be to succeed. We don’t go out there to try to take it upon ourselves. When we start playing some [isolation] ball, that’s not how we look good. When we got back to moving it, that’s when good things happened. That’s how we start having fun.
“I keep saying, and keep preaching it, but the more we live within the system the better we all look and the more fun we have. That’s a credit to Brad.”
Providence Journal – Brad Stevens praised for plugging the gaps
Related: MassLive – Jayson Tatum Injury: Boston Celtics rookie’s ankle MRI negative, questionable for Friday | CSNNE – Jayson Tatum questionable for Hornets on Friday
On Page 2: Win-streak stats are always nice
After two losses to open the season and with Gordon Hayward in the hospital, absolutely no one saw a win-streak coming, much less a double-digit run. Anyone who claims they did is lying. But we’re damn sure enjoying it.
Go figure… pic.twitter.com/ZXrqjIeswa
— Sean Grande (@SeanGrandePBP) November 9, 2017
Via @EliasSports, the Celtics’ are the 1st team in NBA history to have a 10-game winning streak with 6 rookies appearing in at least 1 game during that stretch. No other team has had more than 4.
*Excludes first-ever NBA season in 1946
— Celtics Stats (@celtics_stats) November 9, 2017
Kyrie Irving & Celtics are currently +111 through 12 games. That point differential tops every team in Cavaliers franchise history through 12 games. Best: 1989 Cavs (+110) pic.twitter.com/Zab0k7imdO
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) November 9, 2017
Related: CSNNE – Lots to love about Celtics’ early season run
And, finally: We got plays, so many plays
☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️
The BEST of the @Celtics' 10-game win streak! pic.twitter.com/eRylhPclxd
— NBA (@NBA) November 9, 2017
The Rest of the Links:
Boston.com – Celtics’ TV ratings are soaring
MassLive – Devin McCourty, New England Patriots safety, is a Boston Celtics fan: ‘They play winning basketball’
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