Garnett's Status Unknown Against Hornets In New Orleans
BOSTON (CBS) - Kevin Garnett is with the Boston Celtics as they prepare to face off against the Hornets in New Orleans Wednesday night, but it's still unclear if Garnett will suit up after missing the last two games with a groin injury and flu-like symptoms.
Garnett traveled with the team following Monday night's loss to the Miami Heat, but VP of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge wasn't sure if KG would play against New Orleans when he joined 98.5 The Sports Hub's Felger & Mazz on Tuesday.
We're being extra careful with Kevin. We don't want him missing a short time turned into a long time, so we'll be very careful with him and just take it day by day," said Ainge. "I honestly don't know (if he'll play). I'm not even sure if Kevin knows whether he'll play Wednesday or Friday, or the next week. No guarantees; I don't have timetable."
Read: Celtics @ Hornets Preview
Ainge tabbed Garnett day-to-day, though with only 16 games remaining in the regular season the team will be cautious with their 36-year-old star. Doc Rivers wants to make sure Garnett is in a good rhythm heading into the postseason -- and recent struggles would suggest Garnett would see a good chunk of playing time to do so -- but now with an injury popping up rest may be the best remedy for their defensive leader.
We'll know more on Garnett's Wednesday night status after the Celtics hold their morning shoot-around in New Orleans. Garnett did not participate in Monday's shoot-around and was listed as a game-time decision before ultimately sitting out for the second-straight game. The Celtics have three games in the next four nights, including a weekend back-t0-back in Dallas and Memphis, so expect Garnett to get at least one of those games off.
For the season, Garnett is averaging 14.8 points per game and a team-high 7.8 rebounds per contest. Garnett is shooting 49-percent for the season, but seen his shooting dip to 41-percent for the month of March.
