UPDATE: Isaiah Thomas OUT Friday versus Raptors

Boston Celtics starting point guard Isaiah Thomas, who injured his groin in Monday night's loss to the Houston Rockets, is OUT for Friday's game against the Toronto Raptors, according to CSNNE's A. Sherrod Blakely.


Thomas, interviewed earlier today at a charity event being held at the Celtics' Waltham practice facility, related that he had made the decision to sit another game to ensure he doesn't make the same kind of mistake Jae Crowder did last year, rushing back to play before a high ankle sprain had healed fully which hampered Crowder's effectiveness noticeably. Unhappy about his situation but resolved to getting the rest he needs, Thomas had the following to say about his injury (per CSNNE's Blakely):

"It’s day to day. I want to play. I want to be out there but it’s the smart decision to hold out and wait until it’s 100 percent ...If it was a playoff game I would be out there for sure ... It’s eating me alive to sit, but I have to do what’s best for my body, I have to do what’s best for this team ... I need to be 100 percent healthy to give this team what I can give them."

Earlier today, we reported on General Manager Danny Ainge's skepticism for his availabilty. Ainge, in an appearance on the Toucher and Rich radio show, related that while it wasn't certain Thomas would definitely miss the matchup, Coach Brad Stevens was proceeding with caution out of concern for the injury's long term healing.


Thomas, who received a Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injection to speed along the healing Wednesday before flying home to recover, is not expected to miss much more - if any - time, according to Ainge (courtesy of MassLive's Jay King):

"It's just day to day ... He is a warrior. He loves to play. He'll be back faster than most players would be back after an injury. But at the same time we really have to be careful with Isaiah for the long haul and make sure that he doesn't come back and re-injure it. So I'm not sure about the answer. I don't know if he'll play Friday. Probably not. ... And we'll just try to get him as much rest as we can and get him back on the court when he's ready."

After Friday's home game with Toronto, the Celts have a day off before heading south for a two-game road trip, facing a weakened but still-dangerous Oklahoma City Thunder. Thomas will travel with the team to Oklahoma, but isn't a lock for that game, either. The following game is a rematch with arguably the third-best team in the league, the San Antonio Spurs, who Boston plays Wednesday, December 14th. The Celts might be able to come away with two out of the three if Thomas can play Sunday, but his recovery is more important long term than picking up a winning record over that three-game stretch - so, rest up Isaiah - we're going to need you at full strength, and soon.

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