Al Horford Not Where He Wants To Be In Recovery From Concussion
BOSTON (CBS) -- Al Horford isn't sure when he'll be back in the Celtics' lineup.
The Celtics big man was able to participate in Boston's light practice on Tuesday, one day after leaving the team early in New Orleans to head back to Boston. But Horford said he is still dealing with some lingering issues from a concussion he suffered in practice back on October 31, and isn't feeling 100 percent just yet.
"Just not where I want to be right now, just trying to work through it. This is something very new to me. I'm trying to get used to this," said Horford. "On the court, the times I've been on it, I've felt good with my workouts. To play, I'm just not there yet."
Horford would not expand on what he is trying to work through or discuss the concussion itself. Neither Horford or Celtics head coach Brad Stevens would discuss a potential return date.
"I don't want to get my hopes – I don't want to lead anyone on, but we'll see," Horford said about a potential return on Wednesday. "I'm a competitor and want to be out helping my team. I want to see us grow together. But the last thing I want to do is have a setback.
"We're trying to be the smartest we can about this. I want to make sure that when I'm ready to go, I'm good to go," he added.
Horford missed his seventh game on Monday night, and said there is no added motivation to return for Friday night's prime time matchup against the Golden State Warriors in Boston.
"I've been very motivated to come back. This is just something very different," said Horford. "I haven't dealt with anything like this before, so we're taking it day by day. That's all we can do right now."
Horford traveled with the team over the weekend to Indiana and there was some hope that he would return Monday night against the Pelicans. But he did not, instead flying back to Boston prior to the team's 106-105 loss in New Orleans.
In three games with the Celtics this season, Horford averaged 12 points and five rebounds. Boston is 3-4 during his absence following Monday night's loss.
Stevens did add that forward Jae Crowder, who has missed six games with an ankle injury, is definitely out for Wednesday's game against Dallas.