The crisis was apparently averted for the Celtics.
Boston lost a game to the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday, but potentially losing newcomer Payton Pritchard was a far greater concern than the team’s defensive lapses.
The guard, who had played every game for the Celtics, was dropped for the remainder of the race after teammate Jaylen Brown fell to the knee after a move in the first quarter.
Coach Brad Stevens didn’t get much update on Pritchard’s status after the game, but it looks like an MRI on Saturday concluded a grade I sprain on his right medial collateral ligament, or MCL.
Pritchard is expected to be at least two weeks away before he can “return to activities on the court,” according to the team.
Boston will certainly miss the energy that Pritchard brought to both ends of the floor. The first-round player had an average of 8.3 points, 2.8 assists and 2.5 rebounds per game.
Pritchard’s absence will leave Boston a little fragile for ball handlers for the time being, especially with point guard Kemba Walker having a minute restriction.
Miniature photo via Trevor Ruszkowski / USA TODAY Sports Images