Hours before Game 1 of the Celtics-Heat Eastern Conference finals, Boston announced that starting center Al Horford entered health and safety protocols and would miss Tuesday night’s game.
The announcement came as a surprise after Horford appeared in a Twitter video Tuesday afternoon highlighting the team’s practices leading up to Game 1. This is Horford’s first playoff absence this season.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Horford is expected to remain in health and safety protocols through Game 2 on Thursday night. Grant Williams is expected to start in Horford’s place.
In good news for the Celtics, center Robert Williams is returning for Game 1 after missing the last four games due to left knee soreness.