Avery Bradley remains out, says trade talk ‘crossed my mind'

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TORONTO – Avery Bradley’s return from a right Achilles' injury has taken a lot longer than many anticipated with tonight at Toronto – barring some serious lobbying on Bradley’s part to convince the medical staff that he’s ready to go – being the 17th consecutive game he will miss because of the injury.
 
And as Thursday’s 3 p.m. trade deadline drew nearer, Bradley wasn’t sure if his days as a Celtic were coming to an end.

“It crossed my mind a few times,” Bradley acknowledged. “But I was more concerned about just trying to practice, than anything. I wasn’t really paying attention to it. After I thought about it, ‘maybe that’s why...’ but I was more focused on just practicing.”
 
Indeed, returning to the floor is the bigger priority for Bradley at this point.
 
In his absence, the Celtics (37-20) have managed to surge ahead to the No. 2 spot in the East, and now have their sights on making a possible run towards Cleveland.
 
But without Bradley, Boston understands no such is likely to occur.
 
“He’s one of the best defenders in the NBA,” teammate Marcus Smart told CSNNE.com. “He can score, defend, rebound the ball...We’re just a better team when he’s out there with us. We’re going to need everybody in this locker room to get to where we want to get to.”
 

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