SAN FRANCISCO -- Al Horford took part in practice at the University of San Francisco on Friday and believes he will return to the lineup Saturday against the Warriors after taking a hit to the head at the end of Tuesday's loss against the Lakers.
Horford already missed a game due to a concussion earlier this season so the team sat him out for Wednesday's game against the Clippers as a precaution.
"I just didn’t have anything," Horford said after today's practice. "Everything cleared up and I didn’t have a concussion. We were just trying to be ... the team was trying to protect me just due to the history of everything but I’m just happy I’m able to go through practice, workouts and be fine."
Horford has suffered two concussions over the last 14 months but is not worried about the long-term ramifications of the constant head injuries.
"It’s a fair question," he said. "I’m not concerned about it. I feel like we have a great medical staff here and I feel good about playing the game. It’s not gonna change the way I play. This was just preventive. We wanted to prevent another thing.
"I feel like our team is really doing a good job of making sure any of us are feeling right. I had to go through a second and third test, really. I went through two of them. I was very anxious. I did want to play the Clipper game and it just they didn’t feel comfortable with allowing me, and it worked out, because I’m feeling much better now and looking forward to tomorrow’s game."
All-Star team reaction
Kyrie Irving will be joining forces with LeBron James and Kevin Love during the All-Star game in Los Angeles next month after James reportedly selected him with the No. 5 pick in the player's draft per Jackie MacMullan.
“It will be fun. All-Star weekend’s just an enjoyable experience," he said. "It’s a time for us as competitors to get together when we’re not necessarily with our teams and going against one another. It’s great to see the two captains choose who they felt were the best fit for their team, and I’m glad that I’m playing with a bunch of great players.
“I think you’ve heard it if you’ve talked to championship winners before. But when you’re on a championship team it’s just a bond that can’t be broken forever. Just going through that, the way we created history – we’re the only team in history to come back from 3-1. And that’s something that will be etched in NBA history for life. And that’s always a connection, something that we can always reminisce about no matter what. It’s an incredible bond that we built as a team, individually being tested at the highest level, and doing something that you can remember for the rest of your life and tell your kids about.”
Horford will be matched up against Irving and isn't eager to be potentially switched out to guard his teammate in an isolation situation.
"I hope I don't get switched out on him," he said. "Kyrie is known for putting people on skates out there. It'll be fun. I'm looking forward to it."
Horford also hopes the league will spice things up next year by televising the player draft, since he's not worried about the prospect of being a low selection.
"You're part of what? 24 guys?" he said. "I mean, you could be at home or on a beach somewhere. You're lucky to be there and guys can't take it that serious."
Finally, a little look inside the end of Celtics practice with a shootout video with Kyrie Irving, Terry Rozier, Jaylen Brown and Jarnell Eddie