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TORONTO – Frustration is beginning to mount as Jeff Green continues to see no progression in his injured left calf.
Green strained the calf nearly a week ago, on Friday, when the Celtics held an open-practice scrimmage at TD Garden. The small forward originally anticipated returning to action on Monday. Now, on Thursday, he was forced to watch yet another practice from the sideline.
“After not missing any games the last couple of years, just missing practice, it sucks,” Green said as the Celtics prepared for an afternoon session at Ryerson University in Toronto. “I want to be out there on the floor. I want to be playing, doing anything involving basketball, any type of movement.
“I’ve never been a guy who sits still for too long, so this is kind of killing me right now.”
As much as the injury is killing Green, he’s not killing the team by making a premature comeback. Green has been upfront with Boston’s training staff since the moment he injured the calf last week. He will not attempt to persuade the staff into allowing him back onto the court before he’s fully healthy.
“It’s part of being a pro,” Brad Stevens said of Green’s honesty. “You’ve got to do that… I think it’s smart to be cautious.”
The Celtics are being very cautious with their leading scorer’s calf. Stevens told reporters that he is under the impression that Green will not return to basketball activities until Monday, at the earliest.
In the meantime, Green will be forced to watch from the sideline. As Stevens noted, Green should be able to make use of the time off.
“I think the key is for Jeff to utilize this time to get fully healthy and kind of see the spots where when he comes back, he can even add to us,” Stevens said.
“Even add to us” means that the Celtics have already set the bar relatively high. Green’s replacement, Even Turner, has been a big part of that.
Turner has averaged 12.0 points per game, 7.0 rebounds per game and 5.0 assists per game during Boston’s first two preseason contests. He has also shot 47.4 percent from the field, 100 percent from long range, and 83.3 percent from the free-throw line. Those numbers have caused both Turner and Stevens to contemplate what will happen when Green does in fact return to the lineup.
“I really don’t know, to tell you the truth,” Turner said on Thursday. “I’m wondering what’s going to go on with that too.”
Stevens spoke with similar uncertainty, saying, “I don’t know yet. We’ll see. I really like the way our wings and guards are playing.”
The conundrum may not turn into a great issue thanks to Turner’s skill set. His ability to handle the ball makes it much easier to imagine he and Green on the court together. Turner, for one, can picture the duo teaming up once Green returns.
“I believe with a talent like Jeff, anybody can play with him,” Turner said. “I just want to get in where I fit in.”
For now, Turner is fitting into the starting small forward spot. Green, meanwhile, finds himself frustrated and on the sideline awaiting a full bill of health.