Celtics upgrade Al Horford to questionable for Game 2

Marc Stein: The Celtics have upgraded Al Horford (health and safety protocols) to questionable for Game 2 against Miami.
Source: Twitter @TheSteinLine

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Mark Murphy @Murf56
The Celtics now list Al Horford as available – 3:31 PM Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
New ESPN story: In a rapid reversal, Al Horford went from doubtful to available for the Celtics in a matter of hours, as he and Marcus Smart will return tonight for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals as Boston looks to even the series at a win apiece. espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 3:24 PM Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
A look at the steps Al Horford needed to clear in order to exit NBA health and safety protocols ahead of Game 2 masslive.com/celtics/2022/0… – 3:22 PM Barry Jackson @flasportsbuzz
Here’s what South Florida watched when Heat and Panthers played at same time on Tuesday, and the national ratings too. And Horford back tonight. And pundits giving Heat respect: miamiherald.com/sports/spt-col… – 3:17 PM Sean Grande @SeanGrandePBP
Al Horford will play in Game 2 tonight.
You must be this high to ride this ECF roller coaster.
Since mid-December, the Celtics are 42-14 with Al.
3-7 without him. – 3:16 PM Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
Al Horford cleared to return for Celtics; Marcus Smart expected back, but Boston without Derrick White for Game 2 vs. Heat. sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-h… – 3:16 PM Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Al Horford cleared to play Celtics-Heat Game 2 (coronavirus protocols) nba.nbcsports.com/2022/05/19/al-… – 3:06 PM CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
Celtics injury updates: Al Horford to play, Marcus Smart listed as probable, Derrick White out for Game 2
cbssports.com/nba/news/celti… – 2:59 PM Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
Horford benefited from new COVID-19 protocol (added Apr. 30) allowing players who test negative twice on a game day to play. Horford likely tested negative after shootaround, then upgraded to questionable and then again this afternoon, making him eligible to play. #Celtics #Heat – 2:54 PM Shandel Richardson @ShandelRich
Al Horford back in lineup for Game 2 si.com/nba/heat/miami… – 2:48 PM Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
Breaking: Al Horford has been cleared to play Game 2 tonight against the Heat masslive.com/celtics/2022/0… – 2:47 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
The Celtics testing Al Horford over the past two days: pic.twitter.com/myijcsPtWO – 2:43 PM Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
Al Horford is playing tonight, Celtics say. – 2:43 PM Chris Mannix @SIChrisMannix
Al Horford will play tonight, per Celtics – 2:42 PM Alex Kennedy @AlexKennedyNBA
Al Horford is available to play in Game 2, Celtics PR announces. – 2:41 PM Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
Celtics announce that Al Horford is available to play tonight vs. Heat. – 2:40 PM John Karalis @John_Karalis
Al Horford is available tonight. He will play in Game 2 – 2:40 PM Chris Haynes @ChrisBHaynes
Al Horford has been cleared to play in Game 2 tonight. – 2:40 PM Chris Forsberg @ChrisForsberg_
Celtics say Al Horford is available for Game 2. – 2:39 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Al Horford is available to play in Game 2. – 2:39 PM Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
Al Horford is available to play tonight vs. #Heat. #Celtics – 2:39 PM Marc Stein @TheSteinLine
The Celtics say Al Horford has been cleared to play in tonight’s Game 2. – 2:39 PM Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
Celtics‘ Al Horford will play in Game 2 vs. Miami tonight. – 2:39 PM Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
The Celtics announce Al Horford is available for tonight’s game. – 2:39 PM Jay King @ByJayKing
Al Horford will play tonight, per the Celtics. – 2:39 PM Barry Jackson @flasportsbuzz
NEW: Fresh pack of Heat notes, including Wade admiring Butler’s playoff run for Heat. PLUS the spirited Shaq/Barkley debate on Butler; the Butler/Stephen A. Smith item; Dedmon; Haslem; Celtics upgrade Horford to questionable; more: miamiherald.com/sports/spt-col… – 1:38 PM Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
Celtics have upgraded Al Horford (protocols) from doubtful to questionable for tonight’s game. – 1:10 PM Shandel Richardson @ShandelRich
The latest on Al Horford for Game 2 si.com/nba/heat/miami… – 1:08 PM CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
Celtics injury updates: Marcus Smart listed as probable, Al Horford questionable, Derrick White out for Game 2
cbssports.com/nba/news/celti… – 1:02 PM Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
And another twist. Per Celtics moments ago:
Al Horford – QUESTIONABLE – 1:01 PM Kevin Chouinard @KLChouinard
Celtics updated injury report to say that:
Al Horford – Health & Safety Protocols – is questionable. – 12:59 PM Jay King @ByJayKing
Al Horford has been upgraded to questionable for Game 2, per the Celtics. – 12:59 PM Marc Stein @TheSteinLine
The Celtics have upgraded Al Horford (health and safety protocols) to questionable for Game 2 against Miami. – 12:59 PM Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
The Celtics have upgraded Al Horford to questionable for tonight’s game. He was upgraded to doubtful last night. This raises the real possibility Horford could exit the NBA’s health and safety protocols and return for tonight’s game. – 12:58 PM Chris Haynes @ChrisBHaynes
Boston Celtics center Al Horford has been upgraded to questionable tonight against Miami Heat. – 12:58 PM Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA
Al Horford has been upgraded to questionable. Ime Udoka said they were waiting on testing results today hoping that would allow him to clear the protocol. Needs 2 negative tests. – 12:58 PM Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn
Celtics upgraded Al Horford to questionable for Game 2. – 12:58 PM Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
Celtics have upgraded Al Horford to questionable for Game 2 – 12:58 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Al Horford has been upgraded to questionable for Game 2. – 12:58 PM Ben Rohrbach @brohrbach
Al Horford needs negative PCR tests yesterday and today to clear protocols for Game 2, so the possibility he might be available tonight means a) he returned a negative test yesterday or b) the Celtics have also yet to receive yesterday’s results. – 12:45 PM Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
The latest on Marcus Smart and Al Horford’s status ahead of tonight’s game from @SouichiTerada masslive.com/celtics/2022/0… – 12:31 PM CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
Celtics injury updates: Marcus Smart upgraded to probable, Al Horford doubtful, Derrick White out for Game 2
cbssports.com/nba/news/celti… – 12:15 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Celtics injury updates per Ime Udoka:
Al Horford is still doubtful.
Marcus Smart will test his foot pregame, but is probable to play. – 12:10 PM A. Sherrod Blakely @ASherrodblakely
As for Al Horford (health and safety protocol), Ime Udoka said Horford remains doubtful for tonight. – 12:02 PM Jeff Zillgitt @JeffZillgitt
Al Horford (COVID protocols) remains doubtful and Marcus Smart (right foot sprain) probable for Game 2 vs. Heat, Celtics coach Ime Udoka tells reporters. pic.twitter.com/7i8qhZfqeD – 11:58 AM John Karalis @John_Karalis
Ime says Al Horford feels fine, and him entering protocols was unexpected – 11:58 AM Mark Murphy @Murf56
Udoka said Horford was feeling fine on day of his positive test – 11:58 AM Mark Murphy @Murf56
Ime Udoka said Al Horford is still awaiting test results to determine his availability for Game 2 tonight – 11:56 AM John Karalis @John_Karalis
Ime says Al Horford is still doubtful and his status depends on testing results. Marcus Smart will test his foot pregame but he’s expected to play tonight. – 11:56 AM Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
Al Horford remains doubtful. Marcus Smart remains probable and will test before the game. #Celtics #Heat. – 11:55 AM Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA
Ime Udoka says he’s good now, Al Horford is still doubtful until testing results comeback later, Marcus Smart still had to test his foot out pregame, and Derrick White is having a baby.
“Came sooner than expected, but we support our guys as always in that situation.” – 11:55 AM Barry Jackson @flasportsbuzz
NEW: A fresh pack of Heat notes, including Lowry out again and Smart/Horford updates. PLUS Butler’s steals, third quarter dominance, Spoelstra on the Pepas issue last night. And more: miamiherald.com/sports/spt-col… – 5:33 PM Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
Celtics injury report for Game 2:
Sam Hauser – Right Shoulder Instability Episode – OUT
Al Horford – Health & Safety Protocols – DOUBTFUL
Marcus Smart – Right Mid-Foot Sprain – PROBABLE – 5:26 PM Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
New: The Celtics look like they will be getting back one starter back for Game 2 against the Heat. The wait for Al Horford’s return is a bit murkier masslive.com/celtics/2022/0… – 5:19 PM John Karalis @John_Karalis
Marcus Smart is officially probable for tomorrow.
Al Horford is doubtful. – 5:11 PM Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305
So now Al Horford is doubtful and Marcus Smart is probable for game 2 tomorrow night – 5:10 PM Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA
Marcus Smart has been upgraded to probable with his foot sprain, per Celtics. Al Horford is now doubtful in the health and safety protocol that he entered yesterday. – 5:10 PM JD Shaw @JShawNBA
The Celtics are listing Marcus Smart (right mid-foot sprain) as probable to play in Game 2 tomorrow, while Al Horford (health and safety protocols) is doubtful. – 5:10 PM Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
#Celtics list Marcus Smart as probable and Al Horford as doubtful for tomorrow’s Game 2 against the #Heat. – 5:08 PM Chris Forsberg @ChrisForsberg_
Celtics list Al Horford as doubtful for Game 2; Marcus Smart is probable. – 5:08 PM Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
Celtics’ updated injury report for Thursday’s Game 2 at Heat:
Sam Hauser (right shoulder instability episode) – OUT
Al Horford (Health & Safety Protocols) – DOUBTFUL
Marcus Smart (right mid-foot sprain) – PROBABLE – 5:08 PM Marc Stein @TheSteinLine
The Celtics say Al Horford (health and safety protocols) is doubtful for Game 2 against Miami while listing Marcus Smart (right mid-foot sprain) as PROBABLE. – 5:08 PM Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
Marcus Smart has been upgraded to probable for Game 2. Al Horford is doubtful. – 5:07 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Celtics Injury Report for Game 2 vs Miami:
Sam Hauser – Right Shoulder Instability Episode – OUT
Al Horford – Health & Safety Protocols – DOUBTFUL
Marcus Smart – Right Mid-Foot Sprain – PROBABLE – 5:07 PM Jay King @ByJayKing
Al Horford is doubtful for Game 2. Marcus Smart is probable. – 5:06 PM Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA
Erik Spoelstra on illness starting to affect availability in this series with Horford in protocol and Udoka sick:
“It’s really disappointing. Every time you think it’s behind us, it’s not and it’s really frustrating for us. You don’t want to see it on both sides.” – 1:45 PM

More on this storyline

Chris Haynes: How Al Horford can return after positive COVID-19 test: 1. Two consecutive negative PCR tests at least 24hrs apart 2. Two consecutive PCR tests at least 24hrs apart w/ CT values greater than 30 starting no sooner than Day 4 & Day 5 (where Day 0 is date of initial positive test) -via Twitter @ChrisBHaynes / May 19, 2022 Adrian Wojnarowski: The Celtics have continued testing Al Horford with the hope that he can exit health and safety protocols prior to Game 2, sources said. -via Twitter @wojespn / May 19, 2022 Tim Reynolds: Ime Udoka says he’s good after being sick yesterday, and confirms that Derrick White left today for the birth of his child. Will play Saturday. On Horford: “Al is still doubtful.” Tests pending. On Smart: “Marcus is looking better.” Will try it pregame before final decision. -via Twitter @ByTimReynolds / May 19, 2022