Scal, Posey likely out for NJ

The Celtics will likely have two green rookies available in place of two injured key reserves Saturday night against their Atlantic Division rival Nets.

Celtics forward Brian Scalabrine suffered a concussion in the fourth quarter of Friday night’s 106-83 victory over the Hawks at TD Banknorth Garden. Scalabrine was coherent when he was taken from the arena in uniform on a stretcher to New England Baptist for observation and isn’t expected to play Saturday night. Celtics forward James Posey also missed Friday night’s game with back spasms and isn’t expected to play Saturday.

“(Saturday’s) going to be tough because not having Scal, most likely, obviously, not having Posey…,” Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. “Like I say all the time, ‘We pay them all.' Someone’s going to step up. Tony Allen’s going to step up. Somebody’s going to step up for us.”

With Scalabrine and Posey out, the Celtics will likely activate rookies Gabe Pruitt and Brandon Wallace. Pruitt played in place of Posey Friday night and scored 4 points in his NBA debut while Wallace has yet to be activated.

With Boston up, 89-72, with 5:51 left in the fourth quarter, Atlanta’s Al Horford accidentally backhanded Scalabrine hard in the face with his right hand. With Scalabrine laid out on the floor in pain and bloodied, the Celtics called timeout. After hearing cheers of his last name by the crowd, Scalabrine eventually got up and walked to the lockerroom. After the game, he joked with the media as he was wheeled out of the arena.

“Scal will not play,” Rivers said. “I doubt it. Not the way he looked when he left.”

Posey suffered a lumbar disk herniation in last Wednesday’s game against the Nuggets. He declined comment at shootaround Friday and Rivers is “hopeful” he can return to play Tuesday at Indiana. Posey showed he was progressing well to recovery as he walked smoothly on a treadmill and walked normally afterward.

“I’m hopeful for Indiana. We’ll just play him when he’s ready,” Rivers said.