Boston Celtics: Rookie James Young's Injury Comes at Inopportune Time

James Young of the Boston Celtics may miss an extended period of time with a hamstring strain—a disappointing turn of events for the rookie following an impressive NBA debut.

Per ESPNBoston.com's Chris Forsberg, Young said he felt "a few pops" while stretching before the Celtics' preseason opener, and he described the situation as follows:

"

I'm still learning. I guess I should have talked to [team trainer] Ed [Lacerte] right away. … I was just going off adrenaline, so I really couldn't feel it. The next day when I woke up, that's when I really felt it. 

It's kind of frustrating, but this stuff happens.

"

The No. 17 selection in this year's draft showed no effects of the injury during the game, registering 10 points, an assist and a steal in 20 minutes of action.

From A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com, Celtics head coach Brad Stevens said Young is "probably more week-to-week than day-to-day."

A player sitting out a week or two before the season starts wouldn't normally be of much concern, but in Young's case it could diminish his chances of making an impact in Boston during his rookie season.

The Celtics have a lot of depth at shooting guard.  Lottery pick Marcus Smart played the point in Boston's first two exhibitions, but when Rajon Rondo returns from a broken hand, Smart will likely see some time at the 2.  Avery Bradley is the incumbent starter at that position, and newcomers Evan Turner and Marcus Thornton will compete for minutes there as well.

Due to the crowded Celtics backcourt, the case can be made that it might serve Young better to play consistently on a nightly basis in the D-League, rather than fight for garbage-time scraps in Boston.  Mass Live's Tom Westerholm writes:

"

Common sense dictates that Celtics rookie James Young will probably end up playing in Portland, Maine with the D-League Red Claws this season. Young is only 18, and despite his obvious potential as an NBA scorer, he's still very raw and unlikely to be able to contribute at a high level at the start of the season.

"

However, in Young's very first game, he displayed flashes of talent that might earn him a spot in the Celtics' regular rotation.  In particular, during one sequence in the fourth quarter, he converted a fast-break layup, forced a steal and threw down a dunk in scintillating fashion.

Unfortunately for Young, this injury strips him of the opportunity to demonstrate he belongs right away. Through two preseason contests, both Turner (24 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists in 53 minutes) and Thornton (26 points, two rebounds and one assist in 34 minutes) look eager to prove they are each worthy of considerable court time.  Their performances going forward could make Young the odd man out.

In the long run, Young's hamstring strain is not anything to worry about.  But in the short term, it might be the reason he ends up in Maine instead of contributing off Boston's bench.

Statistics courtesy of NBA.com.