WALTHAMThe Boston Celtics have seen what life can be like without Avery Bradley on the floor, an experience they may have to relive on Friday night against the Chicago Bulls.
According to coach Doc Rivers, the 6-foot-2 defensive star, has a rib injury that will keep him from practicing today.
"He's OK; not great," said Rivers in describing Bradley's current state physically. "He's not going to do anything today, for sure."
His status is day-to-day as the C's close out their five-game homestand Friday night against the Bulls.
The potential absence of Bradley is huge, especially when you consider how well the C's have played as a team since his return after recovering from double shoulder surgery.
While Boston's resurgence has involved several players picking up their level of play, Bradley has been the catalyst.
In the 30 games the C's played prior to Bradley's return, opponents averaged 98.1 points per game.
Boston Celtics
That number takes a sharp dip to 86.8 points in the eight games Bradley has appeared in -- all as a starter.
In Boston's 90-78 loss to New Orleans on Wednesday, Bradley played just 22 minutes -- one of the shortest stints he has had this season. And his rib injury may have been the reason.
Like the C's, Bradley's best work came in the game's early moments. But for the most part, like the rest of the Celtics, he never seemed to get into any kind of flow or play at the steady, high-impact level defensively that fans have grown accustomed to seeing.
"I went out there and competed," Bradley told CSNNE.com after the game. "Played as hard as I could."
Which is why he has been given much of the credit for the Celtics' turn-around this season.
If he is unable to play, Boston will likely turn to either Courtney Lee or Jason Terry to start.