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Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big story line. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
Of course, I’m talking about Amir Johnson’s 4-4 three point shooting outburst.
Amir Johnson said he didn’t even see the basket on his fourth 3-pointer. He was that hot.
— Bill Doyle (@BillDoyle15) November 3, 2016
Yes. Amir may have been literally unconscious last night.
But seriously, it was one step up, two steps back for the Celtics on the injury front. Marcus Smart is back.
But…
Page 2: Jae Crowder sprained his ankle
“Jae sprained his ankle,” Stevens said after Boston topped the Chicago Bulls, 107-100 . “That’s all I know. I was told that it would be at least a week and then we’ll see after, but I don’t think we’re into it enough to make an assessment on that timeline. It doesn’t sound like he’ll be back any time soon.”
Happened when Crowder made a jump pass over Rajon Rondo. I guess this is the downside to playing–and practicing–at 11/10ths…
Page 3: Al Horford took a shot to the face during practice
“So, on Monday, one of our players swiped for the ball and got him across the face,” Stevens said. “And he felt good Monday and he felt good Monday night. He actually slept good Monday night, no symptoms that were reported. He came to practice, when he was lifting and shooting, he felt good there. He was cleared to practice and then, when he got into a few drills, then he started feeling some nausea. And so that’s why he ultimately was stopped and removed (from practice) and went home. Then, later on in the afternoon (Tuesday), he saw Dr. Nap — Dr. Napolitana — and was diagnosed with a concussion.
“Now he’s in the protocol. He felt better today but still had some symptoms. And he said you have to be 24-hour symptom free before resuming activity and, if that restarts it, if any symptoms come up after that 24 hours, once you resume activity, it restarts itself. So we’ll see how he feels (Thursday), but he will not be on the trip (to Cleveland), he will not play in the game.”
Okay, so I’m guessing whoever that was feels terrible about this. But also, holy crap. When was the last time you saw a guy get hit hard enough to get a concussion in a game? It’s happened what? Once this year in the whole NBA?
Tough to walk that line between keeping the intensity dialed up so that you’re ready to go when your number’s called during the game and remembering that, hey, you just served up a hard foul on a guy who plays on your team when the scores count.
Also, the Celtics will have to be at positively scrap-tacular to keep Cleveland close tonight, being that neither Crowder nor Horford will be available. Those wishing to see Jaylen Brown look especially like a rookie will want to tune in any time he’s defending LeBron “Cleveland or Nothing” James.
Finally:
This was one of the decorations at LeBron’s Halloween party tonight. Legendary pic.twitter.com/DwnkLGSr0h
— Jordan Zirm (@clevezirm) October 31, 2016
I submit that Halloween decoration is now truly legendary.
The rest of the links:
Various game recaps:
MassLive: Boston Celtics take down Chicago Bulls: 10 things to like/dislike as Amir Johnson goes off | Jae Crowder lost to injury, but Amir Johnson and Isaiah Thomas send Boston Celtics past Chicago Bulls, 107-100 | Boston Celtics notes: Amir Johnson goes off, Isaiah Thomas jokes about channeling Michael Jordan
CSNNE: Highlights: Boston Celtics 107, Chicago Bulls 100 | Stars, studs and duds: Smart delivers with clutch layup | Johnson’s 23 points help lead injury-depleted C’s past Bulls, 107-100
Boston.com: Isaiah Thomas, Amir Johnson help lead Celtics past Bulls, 107-100
Boston Herald: Amir Johnson shoots Celtics past Bulls
Providence Journal: Celtics 107, Bulls 100: Late surge carries Boston to win
Other stuff
MassLive: Boston Celtics’ Avery Bradley thinks he aggravated shoulder while sleeping, will play against Chicago Bulls after cortisone shot | Boston Celtics’ Jaylen Brown trying to plan days more like workout partner, Chicago Bulls All-Star Jimmy Butler | Rajon Rondo: Boston Celtics should retire Ray Allen’s number
CSNNE: Beyond the numbers: Improving offense critical to C’s growth
Boston Herald: Celtics Notebook: Isaiah Thomas remembers retiring Ray Allen fondly from Seattle days
Providence Journal: Now with Bulls, Rondo says Boston still feels like home
