Celtics injury report: 6key players downgraded for Wizards game Sunday
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, center, loses the ball after it was knocked away by Washington Wizards forward Corey Kispert, left, during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Washington, Sunday, March 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)AP
The Celtics will play without their top six players for their regular season finale on Sunday afternoon when they host the Wizards at TD Garden. Boston announced they had ruled out six players in their injury report on Saturday afternoon including Jaylen Brown (rest), Jayson Tatum (rest), Jrue Holiday (left patella tendinopathy), Al Horford (rest), Kristaps Porzingis (rest) and Derrick White (left ankle sprain)
It will be the second straight game the entire starting group misses as the team exercises caution with its core ahead of their postseason run. Boston’s reserves blew out the Hornets on Friday night after Payton Pritchard posted a career-high in the win. Boston continues to have nothing to play for in the standings in Game 82 after clinching homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs last month.
With Boston down six players, the team will turn deep down their depth chart for playing time. Four players (Jordan Walsh, Neemias Queta, Drew Peterson and Pritchard) all posted career-highs in points against the Hornets on Friday night and they should have ample opportunity to do the same against the Wizards. Those two-way players plus Walsh will also suit up for Maine in the G-League Finals on Monday night.
Boston’s regulars will also be scoreboard watching on Sunday afternoon as there are plenty of pivotal matchups taking place across the Eastern Conference that will determine the Celtics’ potential first round opponent. Currently, there are still six teams that could end up in the play-in tournament and ultimately land the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference.
The Celtics and Wizards will tip off at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday afternoon at TD Garden.
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