By JessicaCamerato
CSNNE.com
BOSTON - Add Nate Robinson to the list. Yes, that list.
On Thursday night, Robinson became the latest member of the Boston Celtics to get bit by the injury bug.
He suffered a bruised right knee in the second quarter of the Celtics 92-86 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. Robinson left the court after playing less than four minutes and did not return, unable to put pressure on the knee and run.
After the game, though, he was optimistic about his status.
I just felt a little pop, but Ill be straight, he told CSNNE.com. It was just a bruise, they dont see anything more.
Robinson will undergo an MRI on Friday to determine if there are any further problems.
Boston Celtics
Even though he did not feel any pain walking around after the game, Robinson is airing on the side of caution. The Celtics face the Miami Heat on Sunday, and he wants to prevent further injuries in case he is cleared to play.
Im good. I can walk. I just dont want to put too much pressure on it, he said. I want to save it for everything else that I need to do to work out if Im ready for Sunday.
If Robinson is unable to suit up, the Celtics would have to get creative at the backup point-guard position - a situation they found themselves in earlier this season.
Coach Doc Rivers played Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Marquis Daniels out of position when Rajon Rondo missed seven games in December. This time, however, Daniels is also sidelined (bruised spinal cord), taking away one option.
Prior to Robinsons injury, Rivers had considered playing Delonte West on Sunday. West has not played since breaking his right (non-shooting) wrist on November 24. If West is to return, it will not be in connection to Robinsons injury, although it is a possibility. He was expected to come back after the All-Star Break, but an earlier return was discussed on Thursday.
No, no, Rivers said when asked if West would play in place of Robinson against the Heat. Before the game, Delonte asked the team doctor if he could play. Actually, they were going back and forth on it. I said, If we have to go back and forth on it, then the answer is no. Alright?
So hes going to practice on Saturday. I would like him to actually play in the New Jersey game on Wednesday just to get him in one game before the All-Star break. But even if he does play Sunday, lets say, it will be five or ten minutes. It wont be much either way.
Rookie guard Avery Bradley, who was called up from the Maine Red Claws on Monday, played just over one minute on Thursday against the Lakers.
Jessica Camerato is on Twitter athttp:twitter.comjcameratoNBA