Celtics vs. Hawks: Dennis Schröder set to play in Game 3

With news that Dennis Schröder missed practice on Thursday following an ankle injury suffered in Game 2, there was some reason to be skeptical about the availability of the backup point guard for the Atlanta Hawks. However, word has broken that Schröder will, in fact, be able to give it a go on Friday in Boston.

Dennis Schroder says ... he's playing.

— Chris Vivlamore (@CVivlamoreAJC) April 22, 2016

Schröder has struggled wildly on the offensive end in the recent past, but his defense was quite valuable in deterring Isaiah Thomas in Game 2, and that could be his principle value in this particular series. After shooting 27.6% from the floor with nearly as many turnovers (2.7 per game) as assists (3.2) in April, the 22-year-old point guard has continued to scuffle on that end of the floor, making just 3 of his 12 field goal attempts in the first two games of this series.

However, Schröder certainly brings the element of penetration and creation to the table off the bench in a way that no other player (i.e. Kirk Hinrich or Lamar Patterson) could match. In other injury news, the Celtics will be without Kelly Olynyk for the second consecutive game, leaving the home team vulnerable after the already anticipated absence of Avery Bradley.

It remains to be seen if Dennis Schröder is at anything approaching full strength as tip-off nears, but the Hawks will boast their full complement of options, at least on the surface, as the scene shifts to Boston. Stay tuned.