BOSTON — R.J. Hunter had an excellent game in his appearance for the Maine Red Claws, but it came at a small price.
The Boston Celtics guard scored a team-high 28 points in the D-League affiliate’s game Thursday night but suffered a left shoulder injury while trying to fight through a screen in the fourth quarter. Hunter is back with the Celtics in Boston but was ruled out for Saturday’s game against the Brooklyn Nets.
The good news is that both Hunter and head coach Brad Stevens don’t believe the injury is serious. Hunter will meet with team doctor Brian McKeon after Saturday’s game, but the rookie guard, who described the injury as a shoulder subluxation, believes it only will sideline him a couple days.
“It’s only like a two-day thing, but when something slides out when it’s not supposed to be there, it’s going to be sore,” Hunter said Saturday.
What’s cause for mild concern is that this isn’t the first time Hunter has suffered the injury. The 22-year-old admitted he had the same issue during his pre-draft workout with the Celtics and again in the preseason. Hunter says he doesn’t believe he’ll need surgery at any point down the line, but rather is working to build strength in the shoulder to prevent re-injury.
“It’s just something that’s a strength issue right now, just trying to get it completely tight together,” he said. “And I’ve made a lot of strides; this is probably the longest stretch I’ve went without it happening, but it’s still not where I want it to be.”
“… It’s kind of how I’m built: I have kind of wide shoulders, long arms, so it just happens some times.”
Thumbnail photo via Noah K. Murray/USA TODAY Sports Images
