Boston Celtics center Al Horford will return to the starting lineup tonight against the Detroit Pistons after missing the Celtics’ past nine games with a concussion, per head coach Brad Stevens.

Small forward Jae Crowder will also return tonight for Boston. He had missed the team’s last eight games with an ankle injury.

The Celtics will now be able to start their opening night lineup that featured Isaiah Thomas, Avery Bradley, Crowder, Amir Johnson, Horford, while having the luxury of bringing Marcus Smart off the bench in a back-up point guard role.

Horford, who signed a four-year, $113 million contract this summer with the Celtics after turning 30-years-old, is averaging 12 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 2.3 blocks per game this season.

[twitter-follow screen_name='tony_montalto' show_count='yes']