PHOENIX -- The Boston Celtics, who have battled injuries throughout the 2016-17 season, were without two starters Sunday in a 109-106 loss to the Phoenix Suns.
Big man Al Horford sprained his elbow in Friday's win over the Los Angeles Lakers, while guard Avery Bradley was held out of the first game of a back-to-back to rest.
Rookie Jaylen Brown and veteran Jonas Jerebko joined the starting lineup in their places.
Horford has missed 12 games this season; his earlier absences were because of a concussion and a groin injury. Bradley only recently returned after missing extended time for an Achilles injury; he has missed 24 games overall.
Entering Sunday, the Celtics were 18-6 in the 24 games when they have had their preferred starting five available. Boston was 22-16 when missing at least one starter. Despite the injuries, Boston is in second place in the Eastern Conference, three games behind the Cleveland Cavaliers.
"It's our whole year," Celtics coach Brad Stevens said before Sunday's game. "We have everybody healthy for a few quarters and then we don't anymore. That's part of it. We've played without guys all year. We'll have to do that again [Sunday]. It'll be a real challenge. But it's a great opportunity for other guys to step up."
Horford believes he sprained his right elbow after initiating contact with Lakers big man Ivica Zubac while going up for a block in Friday's win. Neither Stevens nor Horford wanted to offer a timeline for Horford's return, but Stevens noted that the medical staff doesn't consider Horford's injury a "long-term issue."
Echoed Horford: "We don't really have a timetable, but I'm getting treatment two, three times a day, and really trying to get back acclimated as quick as I can."
Bradley said both of his hamstrings are tight as he works his way back into game shape, but the decision to sit was based largely on the fact that he was unlikely to play in both games of Boston's back-to-back. Bradley expects to play Monday when the Celtics visit the Los Angeles Clippers.
"My hamstring is fine. It's just a little tight," Bradley said. "It's, I guess, being precautionary. They told me that I wasn't going to play a game on the back-to-back, anyway, so we just thought it made more sense for it not to be this one, and I'll play [Monday]."
Both Horford and Bradley admitted it's frustrating to be sidelined, but the team has exercised caution throughout the season in hopes of having everyone upright in the postseason.
"I have to listen to [the medical staff], you know what I mean?" Bradley said. "There's not much I can do when everybody's part of it -- I mean, even [Celtics president of basketball operations] Danny [Ainge]. Everybody's helping make the decision, so I'm just trying to listen to them, trust them. That's their job, and it's my job to go out there and play basketball.
"It's beyond frustrating, but I guess I have to just trust them and just be ready for the next game. But it definitely is frustrating. I've had, like, five of my teammates ask me if I'm OK, but I'm fine. I'm excited about the game [Monday], I know that."
