Nate Robinson Avoids MRI, May Play Sunday. Delonte Possible Too

Posted by Brian Robb on Feb 12, 2011 163723 commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F2011%2F02%2F12%2Fnate-robinson-avoids-mri-may-play-sunday-delonte-possible-too%2FNate+Robinson+Avoids+MRI%2C+May+Play+Sunday.+Delonte+Possible+Too2011-02-12+18%3A15%3A30Brian+Robbhttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F%3Fp%3D16372

A few news and notes on the team’s injury situation, as the team practices currently in Waltham in preparation for their top seed showdown with the Miami Heat tomorrow afternoon.

We will start with Nate Robinson, who left in the second quarter of Thursday night’s game with the Lakers with a bruised right knee, after landing awkwardly on it, while trying to contest a Shannon Brown three-pointer. Robinson did not return Thursday night, and told reporters he was set to undergo an MRI on Friday for the injury, but A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.COM reported late last night that the MRI was deemed unnecessary according to the training staff.

“We didn’t think it was necessary,” Ainge told CSNNE.com on Friday evening.

Following the loss, Robinson could not put weight on the knee or run.

Even with the pain, the 5-foot-9 guard was hopeful that the injury would not prevent him from playing in Sunday’s game against the Miami Heat.

“I’m good,” Robinson said following the loss on Thursday. “I just didn’t want to put too much pressure on it. I want to save it for everything else that I need to do to work out if I’m ready for Sunday.”

Nate remains questionable for tomorrow afternoon, and we should probably learn more about his status after practice this afternoon. The latest on Delonte’s progress and potential status for Sunday, after the jumpWith Robinson hobbled, Doc Rivers was asked about Delonte’s status during the postgame against the Lakers. Here’s his comments:

“You know, it’s funny, before the game he asked the doctor if he could play, our team doctor.  Actually they were going back and forth on it.  I said if we have to go back and forth on it, then the answer is no.  All right?  So, he’s going to practice Saturday.  I would like him actually to play in the New Jersey game just to get him one game.  But even if he does play Sunday, let’s say, it will be five or ten minutes.  It won’t be much either way…”

To me, this is an easy scenario. The Celtics have just two games before their All-Star Break, with two days of rest in-between the Heat and Nets games. Robinson has battled foot injuries all year, so with his knee hobbled, this would be a good time, (similar to Shaq and Semih) to give him a good week or two of rest to make him right entering the second half.

Robinson has been struggling with his shot as is, and playing just a spotty 10-15 minutes in most games during the past few weeks, so there’s really no need to rush him back out there when the rest of the team should be well rested entering both of these upcoming games and capable of playing big minutes.

As far as West’s status, I would continue to echo to cautious message I’ve been preaching the past couple months in regards to his broken right wrist. As nice as it would be to have him against the Heat, the short minutes and amount of rust we are likely to see from him may override any kind of emotional boost the team can get from his return.

I like the idea of saving him for the Nets game, to start to get his feet wet (if he’s been cleared to play) before the team jumps into a tough four-game road trip after the break. Again, we should know more in the next hour or two once practice ends in Waltham,

If you’re Doc Rivers, could you get away with a win against Miami without both Robinson and West and only nine active guys? It’s possible…but not probable. Is it worth the risk to have them both out there? That’s the tough question.

The C’s have dropped a 1/2 game below the Heat for the top spot, and a win tomorrow would give Boston the tiebreaker for the season series, an edge which could come in handy down the road. Still, the C’s are teetering on the brink of disaster right now, health wise, so one more setback with either Robinson or West could be devastating for the team’s long term prospects.

My guy says we will see one of them at least dress on Sunday, but neither sees minutes. How would you guys play it for Sunday?