Celtics’ Udoka calls amount of players listed as questionable on series’ injury reports ‘alarming’

It has become the ultimate Eastern Conference finals waiting game, one coach sitting down 105 minutes before tipoff, the other 90 minutes before, offering what often is the first game-day update of their injury reports.

Such stands as the anticipation again, with Tyler Herro, Kyle Lowry, Gabe Vincent, Max Strus and P.J. Tucker listed as questionable for the Miami Heat ahead of Game 5 of the best-of-seven series at FTX Arena, with Marcus Smart and Robert Williams III with that same designation for the Celtics.

“At this time of year, injuries aren’t uncommon,” Celtics coach Ime Udoka said after his team’s morning shootaround, “but the amount of guys, I guess, on the questionable list from game to game is kind of alarming. But we’ve been dealing with it, especially with the Rob situation, for a while. And I guess that he’s pretty much day to day the rest of the playoffs. So it’s something we have to manage and kind of work around.

“They’re going through their own things, and got quite a few guys banged up, as well. Sometimes luck plays into it, and health is a big part of that. So we have to make due with what we have. Both teams have done that and won with players out, as we have throughout the playoffs.”

Udoka did not have specific updates on Smart’s ankle sprain or Williams’ knee soreness, with both having missed games during the series.

“Both are feeling better,” he said. “Marcus still has some swelling and pain. So they will test it out pregame and see how they feel.”

Celtics guard Payton Pritchard said the focus largely is within.

“I think we’re just focused on ourselves. We’re not worried about who on the Heat is hurt or what they’re going through. We just focus on ourselves and what we can control.”

There had been rumors swirling earlier in the day, particularly in Las Vegas, regarding the Heat potentially dealing with COVID issues.

However, contrary to reports of the team leaving players behind in Boston, the team left behind Spanish-radio broadcaster Jose Paneda, as well as a team therapist. Any such player absence would require mandatory listing on the NBA’s official injury report.

Celtics big man Al Horford missed Game 1 of this best-of-seven series while in NBA health-and-safety protocols, as was noted on the official injury reports at the time.

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from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/Odlzh6F