WALTHAM, Mass. – After the Celtics’ preseason win over Charlotte on Thursday night, Isaiah Thomas didn’t think his sprained left wrist was that big a deal.
He’s nearly 24 hours out from the injury and it remains something that Thomas isn’t overly concerned about.
“I iced it last night, wore a wrap on it on the plane. It’s fine,” Thomas said following Boston’s practice on Friday.
When asked if it will keep him off the floor as a precautionary measure as the regular season will approach in a few weeks, Thomas said that’s not something he’s giving any thought to.
“I want to play,” said the 27-year-old Thomas. “I know sometimes Brad [Stevens] doesn’t want us to play that much. I’m young. I want to play as much as I can.”
The Celtics already know what Thomas, an All-Star last season, can do on the floor. So the incentive to sit him and ensure that he’s safe, is to be considered.
“And it’s fun, getting more comfortable with everybody,” Thomas said. “I want to play as much as I can.”
Boston Celtics
Thomas averaged 22.2 points last season in addition to 6.2 assists per game while playing 32.2 minutes per game.
“I want to play; I’m planning on playing,” Thomas said. “I hope he doesn’t make a different call but I plan on playing tomorrow [in the preseason game at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut vs. the Charlotte Hornets].”
Thomas appeared in all 82 games last season for the first time in his career, a significant milestone considering the physical toll the 5-foot-9 guard takes on a nightly basis.
If Thomas does play, look for him to play limited minutes not only to help protect him from making his left sprained wrist any worse, but it would also allow some of the team’s younger players an opportunity to get on the floor.