Boston Celtics guard Romeo Langford had a debut season with snake bites in 2019-20 – after returning from a thumb injury, he struggled with a series of ankle sprains for months. He returned to the court and got some encouraging performances, but in September, a persistent wrist injury forced him to undergo surgery to repair the scapolunate ligament in his right wrist.
On Wednesday, Langford was released by the medical team to train with the team and could be available for Thursday’s game against the Brooklyn Nets. Instead, however, it fell under the NBA’s health and safety protocol and will once again be put aside.
“It looked like we were going to be [a full squad]”Said Brad Stevens. “I even said that in my radio interview this morning, which I immediately regretted because it just opened up something else to happen, right?”
At this stage, it is not clear whether Langford tested positive for COVID or whether he was simply in contact with someone who did. NBA protocols require a player who tests positive to test negative twice or wait 10 days. They must then undergo a thorough cardiac screening before returning to court. If Langford was simply exposed to someone with COVID, he will also be tested.
Stevens does not expect Langford to travel with the team to Brooklyn.
Marcus Smart, who has just been released from a calf injury to return to action, sympathized with Langford’s situation.
“He’s been working day after day,” said Smart. “I know it sucks, it’s been six months since he played and was able to practice with us and things like that. This is difficult, especially when he is the only one in the gym, having to work alone and seeing everyone else working together and doing things like that. He dedicates himself to work and I think he will appear there. “
Get browser alerts from Boston.com:
Enable breaking news notifications directly in your internet browser.
Turn on notifications
Great, you signed up!