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Al Horford to Miss Second Straight Game

By Joshua Bateman

ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 06: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics walks on the court during player introductions prior to facing the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on November 6, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 06: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics walks on the court during player introductions prior to facing the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on November 6, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Al Horford is out again as he remains in the concussion protocol for the Boston Celtics

While there was never any major concern that Al Horford suffered a serous injury that would keep him out for a while, this second game is something we should have seen coming. The Boston Celtics are patient with everything, and when it comes to multiple concussions, that is where they are going to be the most careful.

The Celtics have some great front court depth that they are going to have to look to, but we already know this is a different team without Horford. The Celtics won that first game without him, but there are not many teams they will be able to beat with the way they played.

Horford has such a presence on both ends of the court, and impacts each player on each player. Him and Kyrie Irving are developing one of the deadliest two man games, and they have been killing teams down the stretch.

He is a defensive player on the year favorite, who is leading the Celtics as one of the best interior teams in the league, despite not having the best size in their front court.

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Horford is truly irreplaceable, and the Celtics will feel his absence in every way possible. That being said, Brad Stevens has a reputation of getting by these injuries, and the return of Marcus Morris to a prominent role is coming at a perfect time.

The Celtics have pieces that they are confident will be able to go out there and hold things together. The issue is that Horford did so much more than just hold things together. Horford is a dynamic play maker on both ends, and nobody on this team has the talent to step up and replace what is now missing.

The Celtics are not playing a Juggernaut of a team, but we know that the Charlotte Hornets would crush the Celtics if they perform like they did against the Lakers. This is not a bad team, and the Celtics cannot lose their energy, execution and their edge like they did against the Lakers.

The Celtics know that they need to step up their offense, because the defense is never as good with Horford on the floor. And that gets a lot harder because Horford makes everything easier for everyone on that end.

Next: Front Coourt Biggest Surprise in Boston

Stevens will have to figure a lot out, and the team will need to come together to make sure that Horford’s absence does not end the best winning streak in the NBA this season.

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