After sitting out Monday’s game, the newcomer scored 14 points in Wednesday night’s win over the Charlotte Hornets.
BOSTON – He was a DNP for the first time in seven games with the Celtics Monday night, sitting out an easy win over the Memphis Grizzlies.
Forty-eight hours later, Greg Monroe was back in the rotation and took full advantage of the situation.
Monroe contributed 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting with four rebounds in 31 minutes to help the Celtics easily get by the Charlotte Hornets, 134-106, Wednesday night at the TD Garden.
Seven of those points came in less than two minutes early in the second quarter to open a double-digit lead for the Celtics.
“It definitely felt like I got a pretty good rhythm,’’ said Monroe, who was signed last month after his contract was bought out by the Phoenix Suns. “Coach (Brad Stevens) went to me and I just tried to be aggressive.
“He was telling me just take your time, get your legs under you, so tonight, I just got into a rhythm, got a little more comfortable.’’
Monroe gave the Celtics an inside presence against the Hornets. He did not play against the Grizzlies because Daniel Theis was so effective early and Stevens stayed with him.
“(It) was fun,’’ said Monroe. “I know what these fans expect out of the team and this team has been playing at a high level. I just wanted to come in and just try to enhance what they already have got going.
“It’s just been tough for me getting a rhythm, especially with my situation this year, but it felt good to get some extended minutes, get into the flow of the game and just try to be as effective as possible.’’
Theis sits out: Theis was unavailable due to right hamstring soreness that developed after the win over the Grizzlies.
“Didn’t feel great after the game the other night, couldn’t pinpoint one moment (when it happened) and then (Tuesday) and today he just didn’t feel comfortable enough,’’ said Stevens. “We all talked about it and didn’t think it was a good move to play him, especially when you’re talking about any issues or strain with the hamstring.’’
It was the first game this season Theis missed due to injury, though he had twice been a DNP.
Around the rim: Jaylen Brown will be speaking at Harvard tonight in an event billed as “One on One with Jaylen Brown, Athlete and Intellectual.’’ Said Brown: “I’m excited. I’m overwhelmed. I don’t know what to necessarily expect, what the crowd will be. Who wouldn’t be intrigued by that? Harvard only asks a select few people to come lecture at Harvard.’’ ... The Celtics took their team picture prior to the game and Gordon Hayward took part wearing his No. 20. ... The next home game isn’t until March 11 as the Celtics begin a three-game road trip on national television Saturday night against the Houston Rockets. There are only four home games in March for the Celtics. ... The Celtics shot 62 percent, the first time they’ve reached 60 percent since Nov. 11, 2013, against the Orlando Magic (60 percent).