Tristan Thompson details battle with COVID-19

After missing a month due to a positive COVID-19 test, Celtics big man Tristan Thompson returned earlier this week, a welcome sight for a Boston team struggling to play consistently. However, Thompson detailed a difficult battle with the virus while he was away from the team.

“That s–t’s no joke,” Thompson told reporters, including Mark Murphy of The Boston Herald. “That was a battle. I had all the symptoms except losing my taste and smell, so at least I could enjoy my food.”

Thompson, 30, has appeared in 38 games (31 starts) in his first season with the Celtics, averaging 7.9 PPG and 8.3 RPG. While his production is down, Boston is happy to have some size back in the frontcourt, especially given Thompson’s postseason experience. In the meantime, Thompson is aiming to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

“…I’m definitely going to get the vaccine as soon as I can get it,” Thompson said, per ESPN’s Tim Bontemps.

Check out more news and notes from the Atlantic Division:

• Celtics head coach Brad Stevens announced that trade deadline acquisition Evan Fournier will not travel with the team during its upcoming road trip, per ESPN’s Tim Bontemps. Fournier has appeared in four games for the Celtics since being shipped to Boston, averaging 11.5 PPG off the bench.
• Alize Johnson‘s second 10-day pact with the Nets is ending this Sunday and it remains to be seen what the team does with him. Johnson said he wants to keep proving “that I belong and I wanna be here,” per NetsDaily. Brian Lewis of the New York Post breaks down the Nets’ upcoming decision on whether or not to keep Johnson.
• After missing a series of games due to an ankle injury, Landry Shamet is expected to return to the Nets, Lewis writes in a separate story. The Nets have dealt with a series of injuries but are slowly seeing players return, including Kevin Durant  after a two-month absence.
• While it remains unclear when it will happen, Sixers guard George Hill, who the team acquired at the trade deadline, expects to return this season, Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. “No one knows the timetable yet,” Hill said. “But I will be back this season for sure. I will be back before playoffs for sure.”