Celtics Center Out for Friday’s Game vs. Nets

The Celtics announced that they will rest Al Horford tonight, listing it as right knee management. Boston is facing their first back-to-back of the season, where Horford sat in each last season, primarily on the second end.

Boston hosts the Brooklyn Nets tonight in their first In-Season Tournament game, while the Toronto Raptors also come into town to face the division rival Celtics Saturday night. The Nets are without Ben Simmons, Cam Thomas, and Nic Claxton. Cam Johnson is also set to return from his G-League stint for his second game of the season.

Boston's perspective may have been that this would be the more appropriate game to have the night off against a banged-up Brooklyn team. The Raptors are 4-4, coming off three wins in their last four at San Antonio, Dallas, and home against Milwaukee. Also, the Celtics are entering their fourth game of the week in the last six days.

Horford has averaged a hair above 30 minutes per game at 30.8 in his last three, but Boston will likely provide even more of a relief plan for their big man than he was given last season. This way, Horford is restricted and protected with his rest given so he can be unleashed when he is needed come spring when postseason implications come into play.

Last season, the rest was not as severe due to Boston's need for Horford without Robert Williams early on. Of course, he had his typical prowess on the defensive end, guarding Joel Embiid like no other in the playoffs. Where his game vanished was his offense. That second-highest three-point percentage in the league, at 44 percent, burned into flames in the ladder half of their Conference Finals run. Now, the Celtics have more balance within the roster, with Kristaps Porzingis to rest Horford more.

The 17-year veteran has averaged 5 points per game, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists, shooting 35 percent from the field in just 24.1 minutes. Boston's plan to relieve their veteran has gone accordingly.

Further Reading

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Celtics Enamored with Threes That Don't Love Them Back in Loss vs. 76ers

Examining What Went Wrong for Celtics' Offense in Loss vs. Timberwolves

Jayson Tatum Discusses the Bond Between Him and the City He Stars In

From Self Doubt to Celtics History, Jayson Tatum Discusses Journey to 10,000 Points: 'I Didn't Think I Was Good Enough'

Jrue Holiday Discusses Celtics' Offense and Their Mindset: 'That's How Most People Like to Play Basketball'

Here's Where Jaylen Brown Impressed Joe Mazzulla the Most in Celtics' Win vs. Heat

Kristaps Porzingis Gives Glimpse of How He'll Boost Celtics Late-Game Offense

Under Joe Mazzulla, Celtics Rebuilding Brotherhood Between Past and Present

Candace Parker on Celtics Trading Marcus Smart, Maximizing Tatum-Brown Tandem, Pat Summitt, and the Sports Matter Initiative

Dwyane Wade Discusses Jayson Tatum's Next Step, Him and Jaylen Brown's Challenge, Heat Culture, Pat Riley, Damian Lillard, and Life After Basketball