Travel delay landed Celtics back from Milwaukee hours before Jazz game

BOSTON — The Celtics arrived again in Boston round 1:30 p.m. EST from Milwaukee after a the postponement of their crew flight final evening after beating the Bucks, 140-99, Grant Williams stated shortly earlier than they tipped-off towards the Jazz on Friday. The crew traveled to the airport on Thursday evening, boarded the aircraft, then returned to the resort after a 25-minute delay on the tarmac.

“The pilot bought, we simply had some points, after which we flew out this morning,” Williams stated. “We couldn’t get out final evening after the sport, so we scrambled, stayed the evening after which flew out this morning … you simply can’t management something, you’re making an attempt to get again residence, however unexpected circumstances don’t will let you.”

Williams flew the day of a sport to Minnesota throughout the 2020-21 season after clearing COVID protocol, however the Celtics final flew as a crew on Jan. 3, 2014, according to Sean Grande. Boston misplaced that sport to the Pelicans at residence, 95-92, however is 3-2 following game-day journey since 2001. They beforehand traveled again residence throughout the 2002 and 2013 seasons, whereas they beat Denver and Detroit, respectively, throughout 2004 and 2008.

The uncommon circumstance landed Jaylen Brown (again) and Jayson Tatum on the harm report Thursday afternoon, however Joe Mazzulla introduced each gamers would begin with Robert Williams III and Al Horford lacking the second half of the back-to-back as they’ve all 12 months. Blake Griffin will begin at heart.

Payton Pritchard, who instructed CelticsBlog/CLNS Media he re-aggravated an harm to his heel in Washington, is obtainable after lacking Thursday’s win at Milwaukee. Mazzulla, talking pre-game, didn’t acknowledge the journey concern, whereas Williams agreed that it could’t be an excuse. Brown talked about visitors in Washington D.C. throwing off the crew’s pre-game routine earlier than their loss to the Wizards on Tuesday.

“Protected flight, bought again, we’re right here able to play the sport,” Mazzulla stated. “It wasn’t delayed, no, (we bought again) at an affordable hour. Sufficient time to the place we had been in a position to relaxation and put together our minds and prepare for the sport … we’re secure, we’re right here, we’re able to play. It’s not an excuse. It doesn’t matter. Nothing issues. The one factor that issues is we’re preparing for Utah. We’re secure. We’re wholesome. We’re rested. We bought an excellent evening’s sleep. Each time the flight landed, it will’ve been right now.”