Injured Ray Allen not with the Boston Celtics on their road trip – NBA Update
Ray Allen, the veteran shooting guard who plays for the Boston Celtics, has not travelled with the team to Toronto where the Celtics play against the Raptors on Friday night. Allen has been reported to have a swelling on his right
ankle and apparently the C’s are not taking any chances.
Ray Allen sat out six straight games in mid-March when his right ankle developed a swelling, causing him issues in mobility. An MRI revealed no serious damage to the ankle however, in Wednesday’s win over the Atlanta Hawks; Allen
did not play because the swelling had returned. Even in Tuesday night’s game against Miami, Allen was taken to the locker room before the start of both halves to have his ankle looked at, signalling that the ankle was bothering the veteran since then.
Ray had played in five games over 7 days and Celtics coach Doc Rivers when asked about the issue said:
“It just swells, I guess. I don't know. I got a call a little while ago. It is what it is. ... I'm just more concerned that this is the second or third time this has happened. So that's concerning."
Allen is 36 years old and in his 16 season in the NBA. He has been struggling for fitness over the last two months. This latest injury comes as a blow to Boston as they set out to play 4 games in 5 games on the road. The coach
said that he was expecting Allen to travel with the team until he got the call.
Allen is critical for Boston’s success as they go on a crucial road trip that will have them playing against the Nets, Bobcats and Knicks. The Green have had a resurgence since the All-Star break and are in hope of improving their
position in the Eastern Conference. They are currently placed at 4th position.
However, the loss of Ray Allen will hit them hard as he is their prime 3 point shooter, and also brings a great deal of experience into the game with his presence. More importantly, Boston need Ray back in the squad before the
playoffs start because his composure in pressure situations have been a key ingredient in Boston’s playoff success in the past few years.
The lockout reduced NBA season has been hard on the players, particularly their fitness. The amount of games being played this season in the limited time that is available was always going to be a tough proposition and down the
line we have seen even the fittest of players like Dwight Howard and Derrick Rose miss substantial amount of games. Ray Allen, at 36, will thus do well to take his time.
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