NBA Injury Update: Celtics Kyrie Irving Expected Back After Missing 3 Games

Boston Celtics guard Kyrie Irving is expected to return to the lineup after being sidelined with a quadriceps injury, according to head coach Brad Stevens.

Stevens told reporters during shootaround that Irving would play in Tuesday’s game against the Toronto Raptors, the second of four games in a season series between the two teams battling for supremacy in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics are currently 1-0 against the Raptors.

The 25-year-old has missed three straight games after he injured his quad in a narrow 111-110 victory against the Denver Nuggets Jan. 29. Stevens also told reporters he expects forward Marcus Morris, who was sidelined with a lacerated hand, to suit up.

Boston has been without All-Star Gordon Hayward who went down with a season-ending ankle fracture during an opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers in October.

"Obviously, us losing a very, very intricate part of our team [in Hayward] was hard, "Irving said, according to ESPN. "But also, on the flip side, it gave opportunities to a lot of our young guys that I don't think they expected. I don't think I necessarily expected it ... but I know that we were preparing for anything and whatever was going to happen."

Meanwhile, the Celtics bench has seen increased minutes amid injuries, mainly from forward Abdel Nader and rookie Semi Ojeleye.

"It’s great. They’re being part of meaningful games," Celtics guard Jaylen Brown said of the reserves. "They’re gaining experience, and those guys work really hard every day to be in this position, and it’s good to see them be able to get on the floor and have some success. They’re not just in there and dragging us. They came in and they lifted us. The more they play, the more confident they’ll get, and right now we need them to stay ready and keep playing that way."