Al Horford's absence impacts the Celtics. 1:06
The Boston Celtics said that Marcus Smart is probable to play in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals, but that Al Horford is questionable as he remains in the NBA's health and safety protocols.
Both players missed the game. Smart was questionable to play all day after taking a hard fall in Boston's Game 7 victory over Milwaukee in the Eastern Conference semifinals that allowed them to reach the East finals for the fourth time in six years.
The team didn't know about Horford's absence until a couple of hours before the game.
Jaylen Brown said after the Game 1 loss that they need to be even more disciplined. We were not prepared to be without Al and Smart. It is not an excuse. We have to be better.
Horford's return to play timeline is unclear, while Smart's absence wasn't expected to be long-term. If a player tests positive, they can either return two negative tests at least 24 hours apart or return two positive tests at the same time.
Horford has been placed in the league's health and safety protocols three times. He was put in the protocols again in December after testing positive for COVID-19 during the preseason.
Boston coach Ime Udoka was sick with a non-COVID-19 illness.
After sitting out Games 5, 6 and 7 against Milwaukee with a bone bruise in his left knee, Robert Williams said he felt fine on Wednesday.
Williams said that he would be fine for the second game, despite coming up limping in the fourth quarter.
The Heat once again said Kyle Lowry is out for Game 2 with a hamstring injury, marking the fourth straight game he has missed, and the eighth he has sat out so far in these playoffs.
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