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Boston Celtics: 3 things on the holiday wish list

By Andrew Neururer

BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 6: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the game against the New York Knicks on December 6, 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 6: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the game against the New York Knicks on December 6, 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. A healthier season

For some reason the Celtics can’t seem to shake the injury bug. It plagued the team last year with Kyrie Irving and Hayward highlighting Boston’s injury report down the stretch. This year, there has yet to be a major injury, but there have been a lot of day-to-day issues.

While it’s good news they haven’t had any major problems, it’s still been something that Boston can’t seem to shake. The Celtics are once again going through a rough patch with several players being sidelined. Again, they’re just day-to-day, but when the Celtics are going into each game with so many players listed as questionable, it starts to take a toll.

In Boston’s impressive win over the New Orleans Pelicans, it was without Irving, Hayward, Al Horford, Aron Baynes and Guerschon Yabusele. That’s four key players and about $90 million in payroll that were unable to suit up.

The Celtics can only go as far as their top players take them, as it goes for any team. With Boston having such big aspirations, it will need to find ways to stay healthy. That’s easier said than done, because there really isn’t much a player can do to prevent something like that.

Right now, Horford has the more serious injury. It’s been reported he’ll be sidelined the next handful of games, battling patellofemoral pain syndrome in his left knee. Hopefully he can recover quickly, as he is one of the leaders of the team.

The injuries slowed the Celtics down a lot last season. They went far in the playoffs, but it’s easy to wonder how much better they could’ve been if they had been healthier. This season they’ve battled minor injuries, but hopefully they can find a way to not be shorthanded each night.

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