Boston Celtics center Al Horford will be available to play in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals against the host Miami Heat on Thursday night.
Horford was ushered into the NBA’s health and safety protocol hours before the Celtics’ 118-107 loss in the series opener on Tuesday. He was upgraded from doubtful to questionable earlier on Thursday before the team made its announcement.
Marcus Smart also missed Game 1 with a midfoot sprain he sustained in Boston’s 109-81 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 7 of the conference semifinal series. Smart, the NBA Defensive Player of the Year, is listed as probable for Thursday’s contest.
“He’s better but still has to test it out pregame,” Celtics coach Ime Udoka said of Smart on Thursday morning. “But he’s probable for tonight. When he goes before the game, we’ll know from there, but he looked better in shootaround today and overall we expect him to play.”
Guard Derrick White, who started in place of Smart in Game 1, will miss Thursday’s game after leaving the team to be with his wife for their birth of their first child.
Celtics forward Sam Hauser (shoulder) is out for Game 2.
