The Celtics suffered their third straight loss, a 105-93 defeat to the Magic on Sunday, putting an end to a horrific week for the team with the best record in the Eastern Conference. This recent stretch highlights how much the Celtics miss Gordon Hayward, who went down with a season-ending ankle injury on opening night, A. Sherrod Blakely of NBC Sports Boston writes.
Hayward, along with Kyrie Irving, was one of two major offseason acquisition designed to help Boston maintain and improve upon their first-place finish in the East last season. However, on nights where Irving sits due to injury or the Celtics need an added offensive punch, they miss Hayward’s shooting and scoring abilities.
Despite the rough stretch, the Celtics still have the best record in their conference at 34-13, two games ahead of the Raptors.
Check out other news from the Atlantic Division below:
- The Celtics recently signed Jarell Eddie to a 10-day contract and hope the journeyman’s second stint in Boston — and eighth different opportunity in the NBA — leads to better results, NBA.com’s Taylor Snow writes.
- Dennis Chambers of Basketball Insiders examines how potentially adding Rodney Hood and/or Lou Williams to the fold would impact the Sixers down the stretch.
- The Raptors have Kyle Lowry back on track and with the team still in prime position in the East, it’s unlikely the team makes a deadline trade, Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun writes.
Rookie wall. Tatum’s never played fifty games in thirty cities in three months before.
I figured it had to happen eventually with the overall young team. I expect the same with philly soon
I would argue that philly already has with losing to garbage teams. Embiid is really carrying them right now. Until Simmons stops being hesitant shooting outside the paint and starts hitting them they are in trouble. Being a sixers fan I see this every game. Not to say he can’t take over inside ten feet. Reddick bring hurt doesn’t help their case. They need more consistent shooting and someone else that can help shoulder the offensive load especially when Embiid isn’t on the court. Guys they have show flashes but not on a consistent enough basis.
How can you miss something you never really had to begin with?