Celtics' point guard Irving out vs. Pelicans with shoulder injury

Kyrie Irving is out with right shoulder soreness for the Boston Celtic's matchup Monday night against the New Orleans Pelicans.

The 26-year-old point guard appeared to injure his shoulder during Thursday night's 129-100 romp over the New York Knicks. Irving said he hurt the shoulder making a pass to Marcus Smart with four minutes remaining. He stayed in the game for about a minute before exiting.

Irving was seen later on the bench with an ice pack on his right shoulder but ditched the ice to talk to reporters afterward.

"I saw the doctors afterward and they said AC joint or something going on there, but I'll be all right," said Irving, who had 22 points and eight assists on Thursday.

Irving played 23 minutes Saturday during the Celtics' 133-77 rout of the Chicago Bulls, scoring 13 points and notching four rebounds and five assists.

So far this season, he's averaged 21.8 points, 6.4 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game while shooting 48.6 percent from the field, including 39.2 percent from 3-point range, across 24 games.

Also out for Monday's game were Gordon Hayward (illness), Al Horford (left knee soreness), Aron Baynes (left ankle sprain) and Guerschon Yabusele (right ankle sprain).

The Celtics will try to extend their winning streak to six games when they host the Pelicans. —Reuters