The Celtics will be shorthanded when they face the Pistons at 7:30 p.m. Monday at TD Garden. They have seven total players listed on the injury report, with four of them already ruled out. But there is actually some positive news from the seven-player list.
Notably, Kristaps Porzingis is listed as probable with his right hamstring strain. That means he should make his return from a five-game absence. C’s coach Joe Mazzulla said Porzingis’ injury wasn’t anything long-term and that should indeed be the case. The Celtics also had a great chance to sit their talented big man and make sure he’s 100% healthy considering their lead in the East standings.
The Celtics’ two stars of Jaylen Brown (right ankle sprain) and Jayson Tatum (right ankle impingement) are questionable. Brown missed Sunday’s game in Washington D.C. as he got some rest; Tatum ended up playing in that game.
The four players who are already out are: Sam Hauser (left ankle sprain), Jrue Holiday (right shoulder contusion), Al Horford (left big toe sprain) and JD Davison (non-COVID illness). Hauser is no surprise as he sprained his ankle in the Wizards win after knocking down 10 3-pointers. Horford doesn’t play on both games of a back-to-back. Finally, Holiday is likely getting a rest day.
The Celtics are currently in a five-games-in-seven-days stretch of their schedule, so it’s no surprise they’re resting players. They also play the Pistons, who are 14th in the East with a 12-55 record. But it’s also good to remember Detroit played Boston tough in an overtime C’s win back in December. Still, it’s the perfect chance this week for the Celtics to rest their starters.
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