BOSTON – A day after his best performance of the season, Semi Ojeleye’s night ended early.
The Celtics forward left Friday’s game against the Pistons with right knee soreness and won’t return. Starting for the second straight game, he had nine points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals in 23 minutes before exiting.
Brad Stevens didn’t have an update after the game.
“That was a loss the way he’s playing right now,” Stevens said. “We’re hopeful that it’s not anything major. That it becomes a day-to-day type thing.”
With Marcus Smart still out and Robert Williams unavailable for the second straight night, Celtics coach Brad Stevens started Ojeleye in a smaller lineup for the second straight night.
Ojeleye, who had 24 points against the Toronto Raptors hit a 3-pointer to open the game both nights. But while he couldn’t match his 6-for-8 3-point shooting, he was still contributing when he went down.
Missing Ojeleye and Smart left the Celtics, whose defense has already struggled in a difficult spot. Both players regular guard players at multiple positions.
Ojeleye entered the game averaging 5.6 points in 18.4 minutes.
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