Olynyk says ankle not ready, should return to uncertain role soon
It's becoming more clear when Kelly Olynyk will return to the Boston Celtics. Far less clear is what role he'll be returning to.
The Canadian big man has been sidelined since Jan. 22 with a right ankle sprain, costing him 16 games already, with a 17th possible on Sunday. While head coach Brad Stevens was optimistic Friday about a potential Sunday return for Olynyk, the player himself was more reserved.
"I wouldn't say (the ankle is) ready yet," Olynyk said Saturday according to Chris Forsberg from ESPN after going through a light workout. "But it's definitely getting there. I'm just letting it play out. It's tough. It's real tough."
The team has taken it slow with Olynyk, which sounds as if it's frustrating him but is probably the right call in the long run. Not only does it protect him, but it ensures he'll be a positive when he does return.
Where Olynyk fits when he's back is a question mark. The team has been starting Tyler Zeller and Brandon Bass in the post with Olynyk and Jared Sullinger sidelined, while deadline acquisition Jonas Jerebko has begun carving out a role, too.
"We have to figure out what's best for us going into every game," Stevens said. "And play the guys that you feel like give you the best chance of winning."
With the highest upside of the bunch, Olynyk - a No. 13 pick two years ago - isn't going to lose his spot, but he may come back to fewer minutes than the 24.5 he was averaging before the injury if Stevens wants to continue playing a tight rotation that's had some success.
The Celtics unexpectedly find themselves in the thick of a playoff race, currently in a four-way tie for the final spot in the Eastern Conference. With only two-and-a-half games separating six teams for the final two berths, every marginal gain could be huge for Boston, and getting Olynyk back on the floor is a positive, regardless of how big a role he'll play.
Olynyk had shown offensive improvement over his rookie season, averaging 11.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists while shooting 50.6 percent from the floor and 35.3 percent on 3-pointers.