Celtics

Celtics’ Derrick White out, Al Horford available for Game 2 of series vs. Heat

White started for Boston in Game 1.

By Hayden Bird

updated on May 19, 2022

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The Celtics got both good news and bad news on the player availability front Thursday.

Guard Derrick White will not play in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Heat on Thursday night due to personal reasons, according to an update provided by the team.

But in a reversal from Game 1, Boston announced that forward Al Horford is available to start Game 2. Horford missed Game 1 after being placed in the NBA’s health and safety protocols.

White was inserted into Boston’s starting lineup in Game 1 in place of Marcus Smart, who was out with an injury. Horford, who typically starts for the Celtics, was replaced in the starting lineup by Grant Williams.

White was acquired by the Celtics in a February trade with the Spurs. He has become an important part of Boston coach Ime Udoka’s player rotation, helping the Celtics outscore opponents by 9.5 points per 100 possessions when he’s on the court in the playoffs.

While White is out for Game 2, Smart could return to the lineup just in time. An earlier Boston injury update on Wednesday listed him as “probable” as he recovers from what the team described as a “right mid-foot sprain.”

Game 2 of the Celtics-Heat series gets underway in Miami at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday.