Sullinger Expects To Return Friday vs. Blazers
BOSTON (CBS) - Celtics forward Jared Sullinger was back on the practice floor Thursday after missing Wednesday night's loss to the Charlotte Bobcats, and expects to suit up Friday night against the Portland Trail Blazers.
"That's the goal," Sullinger said Thursday after practice, not expecting the injury to linger much longer. "As long as I stay with the right treatment and continue to push and get better, I should be alright."
The forward suffered a bone bruise on his right knee on Monday while taking a charge against Orlando's Mo Harkless. He said he wasn't really trying to take a charge on the play, but had nowhere else to go. He played for another 15 minutes before the pain and swelling got to be too much, and things were worse the next morning.
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"Tuesday, I woke up really stiff. But as the days went on the swelling and soreness started to evaporate," said Sullinger. "It was tough for me to land and jump confidently, so I sat out [Wednesday] and got another days rest."
Head coach Brad Stevens won't set anything in stone just yet, but expects to have his forward back against the Blazers.
"I guess you always wait until [game day], but from everything I've been told and everything I can gather, he was ready to go today," said Stevens.
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Sullinger is averaging 11.3 points and 5.1 rebounds in 19.7 minutes per game for Boston this season. Wednesday was the second game he has missed this season, as he also sat out the season-opener due to a team suspension.
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