The Boston Celtics could use some help in their frontcourt, and it appears reinforcements have arrived in Washington, D.C.
Celtics big man Kelly Olynyk expects to play Wednesday night against the Wizards, which would mark his first game since he underwent offseason shoulder surgery.
“I had a good practice, recovery feels good, my body feels good,” Olynyk said before the team’s shootaround Wednesday morning, via MassLive.com’s Jay King. “I think it’s ready to go.”
Head coach Brad Stevens told reporters at shootaround he didn’t have any updates on Olynyk at the time. When asked what it would take to keep him off the floor, Olynyk joked, “If Coach Stevens doesn’t put me in the game.”
The Celtics would benefit from Olynyk’s return, as big man Al Horford (concussion) and swingman Jae Crowder (ankle) both didn’t travel for Wednesday’s game. Olynyk, who averaged 10 points and 4.1 rebounds per game last season, was one of six Celtics to score 10 points or more per game and will help Boston stretch the floor with his 3-point shooting ability.
The 25-year-old hasn’t played an NBA game since last April, however, when he logged just 32 total minutes over six games in the Celtics’ first-round playoff loss to the Atlanta Hawks. Olynyk initially injured his right shoulder in February, and the injury bothered him throughout the remainder of the 2015-16 season.
Thumbnail photo via Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports Images
