The Celtics’ run of excellent well being might come to an finish Saturday night time.
Boston added three gamers to its harm report Saturday, itemizing Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford as questionable for its matchup with the Atlanta Hawks at TD Backyard.
Tatum strained his left (non-shooting) shoulder whereas driving to the basket throughout Friday night time’s house win over the Orlando Magic. He remained within the recreation and completed with a game-high 30 factors in 35 minutes because the Celtics cruised to a 121-95 victory.
Although accidents have been a persistent situation for Boston this season, Tatum has been one in every of its most sturdy gamers, showing in 38 of the workforce’s first 41 video games. Solely Payton Pritchard (41) and Derrick White (39) have made extra appearances.
Porzingis (return from harm administration) and Horford (left huge toe sprain) sometimes don’t play each ends of back-to-backs, and each had been lively in opposition to Orlando. Porzingis hasn’t performed back-to-back nights since final January, and the 38-year-old Horford has not executed so since March 2022.
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla wouldn’t say after Friday’s recreation whether or not he deliberate to play Porzingis or Horford in opposition to Atlanta, however Porzingis left the door open for himself.
“I consider so,” the massive man informed reporters when requested if there was an opportunity he might swimsuit up Saturday night time. “I consider so. However that’s slightly bit out of my palms. I feel (Saturday) we’ll know extra info.”
After lacking the primary 17 video games following offseason surgical procedure after which coping with a sequence of minor ankle/foot accidents, Porzingis has impressed of late. Over his final seven video games coming into Saturday, he averaged 19.6 factors, 8.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks whereas making 47.4% of his 3-point makes an attempt.
If Porzingis and Horford each sit in opposition to the Hawks, Luke Kornet and Neemias Queta can be the following males up in Boston’s frontcourt rotation, with the seldom-used Xavier Tillman as one other depth possibility.
The Celtics had their whole core rotation obtainable for his or her final 4 video games after lacking a minimum of one participant in 35 of their first 37.
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