The Boston Celtics will be at full strength for the first time this season Saturday night.
Big man Al Horford (concussion) and swingman Jae Crowder (ankle) both are active and in the starting lineup for the Celtics in their matchup with the Pistons in Detroit, head coach Brad Stevens told reporters Saturday.
The news couldn’t come at a better time for the C’s, who have struggled without two of their key contributors. Horford, the team’s major free-agent acquisition this offseason, has missed Boston’s last nine games with a concussion after he was hit in the head during practice. Crowder, meanwhile, sprained his ankle in a Nov. 2 win over the Chicago Bulls and has missed the Celtics’ last eight games.
Boston has gone 3-5 during that eight-game span with Horford and Crowder both sidelined.
Marcus Smart, who bruised his left ankle Friday night in a loss to the Golden State Warriors, also will play Saturday night. Smart missed the first three games of the season with a sprained left ankle, so Saturday will mark the first game this season the Celtics have a full roster.
Thumbnail photo via Jeremy Brevard/USA TODAY Sports Images
