Jerryd Bayless likely out 7-10 days, and that may not be a bad thing


Bayless left Sunday's game in Orlando with a left toe sprain and did not return.  X-rays came back negative, but CSNNE's A. Sherrod Blakely reports the reserve guard will be out for a week to ten days:


In all honesty, this Bayless injury could not have come at a better time for the Celtics.  Not from a "tanking" standpoint, but because it'll allow Boston to take a closer look as to whether or not Phil Pressey is the guy they want playing behind Rajon Rondo for the rest of this year, and beyond.

When Boston acquired Bayless he immediately began to cut into Pressey's playing time at the backup point guard spot.  The rookie averaged just over 5 minutes of action in the first five games after Bayless's arrival from Memphis.  But on the day the C's dealt away Jordan Crawford, Pressey got the surprise start and dished out 10 assists in 26 minutes.  When Rondo returned two night's later he was actually out-shined by Pressey, who this time posted 6 points and 9 assists in 22 minutes.  Sunday in Orlando Pressey's play fell off a little, but he still logged 23 minutes of action.  Bayless' injury now gives Boston an extended opportunity to see if Pressey can be a legitimate backup to Rondo.

And yes, the C's will be lacking a shooting guard on the bench to sub in for Avery Bradley, but both Jeff Green and Gerald Wallace have seen some time at the position this year.


Follow Mark Vandeusen on twitter @LucidSportsFan
Share