Tristan Thompson may have to wait to make his Celtics debut, after all.
Thompson has missed the early portion of training camp with a strained hamstring. Last week, coach Brad Stevens sounded like he expected Thompson to be ready for the season-opener Dec. 23 — but Stevens sort of changed his tune Saturday.
“I think that’s hard to say right now,” Stevens told reporters. “He’s not been in any part of practice yet. He’s done our pre-practice … 2-on-2, 3-on-3, very light, simulated reads work on both ends. So that’s it.”
Thompson signed a two-year deal with the Celtics this past offseason after nine years with the Cavaliers. He is expected to play a key role off the bench at the center position. But again, the last thing the Celtics want is to rush him back too soon.
“He hasn’t played in a long time,” Stevens said. “He didn’t play in the bubble, so there will be a ramp-up period for him whenever he is able to go live in practice.
“I’m assuming it won’t be just one of those situations where you’re available one day and you get a good practice in and you can play. I think it’ll be a little more than that. I don’t know what that means with regard to Dec. 23. Every day that passes I’d say that becomes more unlikely.”
Thompson, 29, averaged 12.0 points and 10.1 rebounds in 57 games last season. He had plenty of suitors in free agency, but decided the Celtics were the best match.
“What really attracted me to the Celtics is how young and how talented they are,” he said. “I think this was the best decision for me and my career, to join a team that’s trying to do something special.”
