Fournier's Finding Groove While Battling Lingering COVID-19 Symptoms

https://www.nba.com/celtics/news/sidebar/post-050221-fourniers-finding-groove-while-battling-lingering-covid-19-symptoms






Fournier's Finding Groove While Battling Lingering COVID-19 Symptoms



By Marc D'Amico |  @Marc_DAmico
Celtics.com

May 3, 2021



Evan Fournier is battling through far more than just conditioning issues following his battle with COVID-19.

The recently-acquired Celtics wing revealed Sunday night that he has been experiencing lingering symptoms that include concussion-like symptoms, issues with his depth perception and trouble focusing.

Fournier stated that he was attempting not to discuss the symptoms in hopes that it would help him battle through them, but he deviated from that plan following a 21-point performance Sunday against the Portland Trail Blazers.

“It’s like I have a concussion,” he said. “Right now it’s actually doing a bit better, but at first it was like the bright lights were bothering my eyes and my vision was blurry. Everything was just going too fast for me. I mean, it’s still the case.

“Some stuff are better, but at times I’m really struggling to focus, and my eyes keep struggling focusing on one thing. My depth perception is really bad right now. But I saw a specialist and she gave me some exercises, and hopefully it will get better.”

Teammate Jayson Tatum, who also battled the COVID-19 virus and experienced lingering symptoms, has been supporting Fournier behind closed doors. Tatum acknowledged Sunday night that he and Fournier have discussed the process of returning to play following infection.

“We’ve had plenty of talks about it,” Tatum said, “just about how it was in my experience when I came back, and just some things to look out for.”

Things are a bit more unique in Fournier’s return to action, however, because he’s new in Boston. The Celtics just acquired him at the trade deadline five weeks ago. Fournier is still adjusting to his new surroundings, while the people who surround him are learning who he is.

Fournier made the comment multiple times during his six-minute media session Sunday night that due to his stay in the Health & Safety Protocols, C’s fans and media members, as well as his teammates, don’t really know who he is yet as a person or as a player. But his comments about battling through the situation sure will teach everyone in Celtics Nation about his character and his team-first mentality.

Asked if he feels like he should take a couple of days off to see if he feels totally better, Fournier in part replied, “I can’t just take games off or practice off because I’m not feeling well mentally, you know? My body is available. I have to be available.”

Toward the end of his media session, after discussing many of the challenges that have accompanied his battle with the virus, Fournier also declared, “You guys don’t know me yet, but I’m mentally as tough as it gets, and I’ll get through that, for sure.”

Fortunately, it sounds as if the process of getting through it all is already underway. Fournier stated multiple times that his symptoms have waned a bit over the last few days, which may have led to his improved performance during Boston’s contests Friday night and Sunday night.

Friday night, Fournier shot 3-for-6 from the field and 2-for-4 from long distance during a dramatic comeback win over the Spurs. Sunday night, he was even better while delivering his best overall performance as a member of the Celtics, which featured 21 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals on 8-for-10 shooting from the field and 5-for-7 shooting from long distance.

These consecutive performances arrived after Fournier shot 5-for-31 from the field while committing six turnovers during his first four games back from the Health & Safety Protocols.

Things are clearly heading in the right direction for the 28-year-old wing, but he admitted that they aren’t back to normal just yet.

“It’s nowhere near where it needs to be,” Fournier said of his health, “but I’m going to keep pushing, I’m going to keep working on my stuff, and things are going to get better. It felt great, honestly, to be able to make shots and feel like myself a little bit.”

A little bit? This is the guy who just scored 21 points on 8-for-10 shooting. Just imagine what he’ll bring to the table after he battles through the symptoms that have been lingering since his return on April 23.


Bob


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This has been one scary rotten year, for sure. I can only imagine what some of these guys have gone thru with having Covid. Some have really had a tough time with it. Fournier is a trouper, he really probably needs more time, just like Jason Tatum did, and even Romeo. I know Tristen Thompson said he was pretty sick for a few days too.

The problem while you are going thru something like this is, no one really knows how long some of these side effects last. Younger people are having a hard tine dealing with it alot. Having feelings like you had a "concussion" involve so many things. Your head, your stomach, your nerves.

To be honest, I think some of them are just dying for the year to be over so they can just crash.
Unfortunately, the way things are going, it may be sooner than later. This has been the year from hell.

RosalieTCeltics wrote:This has been one scary rotten year, for sure.  I can only imagine what some of these guys have gone thru with having Covid.  Some have really had a tough time with it.  Fournier is a trouper, he really probably needs more time, just like Jason Tatum did, and even Romeo.  I know Tristen Thompson said he was pretty sick for a few days too.  

The problem while you are going thru something like this is, no one really knows how long some of these side effects last.  Younger people are having a hard tine dealing with it alot.  Having feelings like you had a "concussion" involve so many things. Your head, your stomach, your nerves.  

To be honest, I think some of them are just dying for the year to be over so they can just crash.
Unfortunately, the way things are going, it may be sooner than later.  This has been the year from hell.

Rosalie,

What's truly scary about this is that we're talking about young, professional athletes here, with no known compromising medical issues like diabetes or asthma, not a bunch of at-risk senior citizens. They're getting it, getting knocked flat on their butts, and are having to fight their way back to what they were and they were as healthy as horses before they came down with it. It's not the flu. You don't get the flu and then need weeks to have your depth perception restored like Fournier or have to carry around an inhaler like Tatum.


Bob

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