The Boston Celtics can be with out two starters once they host the Sacramento Kings tonight. Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Jaden Springer will all be in avenue garments on Friday evening.
Jaylen Brown injured his left hand within the win in opposition to the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday. On Wednesday Brown performed 33 minutes and after the sport talked about his wrist damage mentioning he believes he has a sprain or a strained ligament. Even with the injured wrist, Brown put up 23 factors and grabbed seven rebounds.
As a lot as folks consider his scoring, it is going to be Jaylen’s protection that can be missed in opposition to the Kings backcourt, particularly De’Aaron Fox. Brown ought to be in consideration for an All-Protection crew.
This can be Brown’s tenth recreation missed, he missed 15 final season.
Derrick White may even not be in motion as he’s out with a low again contusion in keeping with the Celtics damage report.
White, who has been an ironman since he was traded to Boston, will miss his seventh recreation of the 12 months. Derrick has been dependable all season for the Celtics averaging 15.4 factors on 46.6% from the sector and 40.2 from past the arc.
With Fox main the Kings in scoring (26.4) Boston would have regarded to Jrue Vacation, White, and/and even Jaden Springer to decelerate the fast guard. With out each Springer and White, Payton Pritchard must step as much as attempt to keep Fox when Vacation isn’t on the ground.
Springer (left knee tendinopathy) has featured in 13 video games since he was dealt to the Celtics. With Boston clinching the primary seed within the league, the ultimate slate of video games may very well be pivotal for guys like Springer since Boston’s report doesn’t matter anymore.
Together with Pritchard, Hauser is one other participant who will profit from the additional our bodies being out. Hauser has been on a taking pictures tear as of late, most notably in his 25-point efficiency in opposition to the Hornets the place he shot 7-11 from deep.
The excellent news for Celtics followers is neither Kristaps Porzingis nor Al Horford is on the damage listing which implies they’ll have a wholesome frontcourt once more. The Celtics might want to throw our bodies at Domantas Sabonis who’s a double-double machine averaging 19.6 factors and 13.7 rebounds. Oshae Brissett, Xavier Tillman, and Luke Kornet are all guys who may discover themselves on Sabonis all through the evening.
It’s the following man-up mentality for Joe Mazzulla which helped the Celtics obtain a league-best 60-16 report. With out two of their starters, they’ll have to get strong minutes from the bench to recover from the road in opposition to the pesky Kings who’re vying for a better seed.
Tonight the Celtics host the Kings, with tip-off set to start at 7:30 p.m. ET.
