What initially seemed like a routine matchup for the Boston Celtics could turn into anything but on Saturday night.
Despite facing the 22-44 Brooklyn Nets, the 48-19 Celtics could find themselves severely shorthanded on the second night of a back-to-back.
On Friday, Boston held off the post-Jimmy Butler Miami Heat for a 103-91 road win. Meanwhile, a 121-98 loss by the Atlanta Hawks to the L.A. Clippers secured Boston a top-six finish in the East, ensuring they avoid the play-in tournament for a fourth straight year.
According to Noa Dalzell of CLNS, as many as four Celtics starters—and five of their top seven players—could be sidelined for Saturday’s game.
Six-time All-Star Jayson Tatum, who led Boston with 28 points against Miami while adding five assists, four rebounds, and a steal, has been downgraded to questionable with right knee tendinopathy.
Jaylen Brown, who missed Friday’s contest, has been upgraded to questionable with a right knee posterior impingement. His absence has been felt.
Derrick White, a two-time All-Defensive guard, is listed as doubtful with a left knee contusion. On Friday, he contributed 18 points, five rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
Meanwhile, veteran big man Al Horford, who filled in for Kristaps Porzingis and shifted to power forward with Brown out, is now doubtful due to a sprained left big toe.
The 38-year-old still managed nine points, nine rebounds, and five assists in the win over Miami.
There is some good news—Porzingis, who has missed the last eight games with a non-COVID illness, is finally listed as probable. However, his availability isn’t guaranteed.
Brooklyn, meanwhile, will also be without key players, including high-priced center Nic Claxton.
Getting Porzingis back to full strength before the playoffs is a priority for Boston. When healthy, the 7-foot-2 big man remains a dominant two-way force, averaging 18.9 points on .474/.403/.813 shooting splits, along with 6.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.8 blocks per game across his 32 appearances this season.
