Al Horford enters league's concussion protocol, out vs. Lakers

The Celtics announced on Wednesday afternoon that Al Horford has entered the league's concussion protocol after experiencing concussion symptoms in the wake of the Celtics' win over the Hawks on Monday night. He will miss Wednesday's game against the Lakers.

https://twitter.com/NBCSBoston/status/928322034530168838

The big man took a shot to the head during the first half of Monday's win over Atlanta but remained in the game after the foul. Brad Stevens told Zolak and Bertrand on 98.5 the Sports Hub that Horford felt okay to play during the game and on Tuesday, but he woke up with some concussion symptoms on Wednesday morning. The team ruled him out immediately and entered him in the league's concussion protocol after being informed of the symptoms.

Horford also missed three weeks of the regular season last year when he suffered a concussion in practice.

BSJ Analysis

The injury is a bit concerning given Horford's concussion history and his long road to recovery last year (He missed nine games overall). It's hard not to feel for the guy since he was playing some of the best basketball of his career during the first three weeks of this season. He won't return until he's passed the league's concussion protocol and it's likely going to be weeks, not days, before he's back.  How do the Celtics fill in for him in the meantime?

In the interim, look for Aron Baynes to becomes the C's full-time starting center and Marcus Morris to get the nod at power forward on a nightly basis. Daniel Theis had been pushed out of the rotation with Morris back in the fold, but that changes now. He'll get regular minutes as a backup center, while versatile defenders with length (i.e. Semi Ojeleye) will continue to see extended run since Stevens will go small plenty without Horford.

The 31-year-old had been a terrific asset on both ends of the floor this year, so this will be another stiff challenge for the C's in a young season that's already been full of them.