Thanks to the ongoing Emirates NBA Cup, which will feature both semifinal games this weekend and culminate with the Cup Final on Tuesday, the Boston Celtics have had ample time to rest and recover. The defending NBA champions certainly needed it. From November 29 to December 7, the Celtics played six games in just nine days, including two back-to-back sets.
During this intense stretch, the Celtics finished with a 4-2 record, improving their overall record to 19-5, which ranks second-best in the NBA. After their blowout win over the Detroit Pistons on Thursday, they now stand at 20-5.
However, by the time they wrapped up this stretch against the Memphis Grizzlies, the effects of fatigue were evident. The Celtics lost 127-121 at home, missing nine free throws and an astonishing 42 three-point attempts.
This number of missed three-pointers is particularly remarkable given that the average NBA team attempts only 35.1 three-pointers per game, making 12.8 of them.
Celtics Hobbled After 9 Day, Six Game Stretch
The demanding schedule seems to have taken a physical toll on the Celtics. Superstar MVP candidate Jayson Tatum had to miss Thursday’s game against Detroit due to soreness in his right knee, marking just the second time in 25 games this season that he’s been sidelined.
Bench three-point specialist Sam Hauser was also unavailable for Thursday’s matchup due to an adductor injury, previously referred to as a “pulled groin.” Meanwhile, Team USA Olympian Derrick White has been dealing with a foot injury, which kept him out of a key game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on December 1, the team with the NBA’s best record.
While the Celtics have looked nearly unbeatable this season, their health remains a significant concern. With another busy stretch of games approaching during the holiday weeks, it seemed the Boston powerhouse might be facing some setbacks.
However, on Friday, the team received the positive news about its injured players that it had been hoping for.
Tatum, Hauser Injuries ‘Definitely Progressing’: Mazzula
During Friday’s team practice, Celtics beat reporter and Locked on Celtics podcast host John Karalis reported that both Tatum and Hauser participated fully in the walkthrough and will travel to Washington, with the potential to play on Sunday.
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla confirmed that both players are “definitely progressing,” as quoted by Karalis.
The Celtics’ next game is Sunday against the Washington Wizards, who currently hold the NBA’s worst record at 3-19. Mazzulla may still opt for caution and keep both players on the bench for that matchup. However, looking ahead, the Celtics will enjoy three days off before facing a busy holiday schedule.
Celtics Regaining Health for NBA Holiday Madness
This holiday season will be far from a break for the Celtics, with a grueling three-week stretch of games from December 19 to January 7, playing every other day. The only exception is back-to-back games on January 2 and 3 against the Minnesota Timberwolves and Houston Rockets, both on the road.
In total, they will play 11 games in 20 days, six of which are away games. Highlights include a Christmas Day matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers, a New Year’s Eve game against the Toronto Raptors, and two games against the Indiana Pacers, who handed the Celtics their first loss of the season on October 30.
Given the demanding schedule, the positive updates on Tatum and Hauser are crucial. Additionally, White provided encouraging news, reporting that his foot is “feeling a lot better,” thanks to the Celtics’ extended off-days during the NBA Cup.
