Thomas will sit out against Magic

For the first time this season, the Celtics will be playing without their All-star guard Isaiah Thomas.

Thomas, who pulled his groin in the second quarter of Monday night's game against the Rockets, was sent back to Boston Tuesday night for treatment.

Celtics coach Brad Stevens told reporters that Thomas was very sore after the team left Houston and was forced to sit out of Tuesday's practice. When Thomas was asked about the injury after Monday's loss, he shrugged it off and insisted that although it bothered him he would most likely be good to go against the Magic.

"A few drives I didn't have the lift," Thomas explained. "It is what it is. I'll figure it out."

Thomas appeared to have suffered the injury when he began holding his groin in discomfort after knocking down a 3-pointer against Houston.

He's having the best start of his career so far, averaging 26 points, 6 assists and 2.6 rebounds in 21 games. Thomas is ninth in the league in points per game.