Wilcox suffers left shoulder injury, unlikely vs. Hornets

The Celtics just got even thinner at the five position.

CELTICS REPORT: TUESDAY, DECEMBER 27

MIAMI — Injuries continue to take their toll on the Boston Celtics during this early portion of the shortened NBA season.

The latest victim is Chris Wilcox, who suffered a bruised left shoulder injury in the first half of Tuesday's 115-107 loss to the Miami Heat.

"He got hit (in the shoulder) pretty bad," said coach Doc Rivers. "I know they think that it's a deep bruise."

That means Wilcox is unlikely to play on Wednesday, and depending on the severity of the injury, he may wind up missing even more time.

While Wilcox's numbers after two games weren't overly impressive, his opportunities to play were only going to increase with the Celtics getting so little production from starting center Jermaine O'Neal.

The C's still have some options to replace Wilcox in the lineup. His absence likely means more minutes for Brandon Bass, who has been the C's most consistent performer thus far off the bench.

It might also result in rookie Greg Steimsma seeing his first NBA action.

In two games, Wilcox averaged two points and three rebounds.