ORLANDO — On the second night of a back-to-back, in a game against the Orlando Magic, the Celtics will be without most of their rotation. Al Horford (right knee sprain), Jayson Tautm (left ankle sprain), Derrick White (left ankle sprain), Kristaps Porzingis (return from illness reconditioning), and Jrue Holiday (right shoulder impingement) will all miss Wednesday’s contest. Horford is missing his second consecutive game, while Tatum, White, Holiday, and Porzingis all rest on the second night of a back-to-back.
Jaylen Brown has ruled out for Wednesday’s game against the Magic
Jaylen Brown was initially listed as questionable on Wednesday as he continues to deal with a right knee impingement, but after warming up, Brown was ruled out.
To reach the 65-game minimum and be eligible for NBA awards, Brown has to play in three of the Celtics’ final four regular-season games. He’s played on a minutes restriction of late, limited to just 21 minutes on Tuesday night against the Knicks and playing 30 minutes or less in each Celtics contest since March 15th.
On Tuesday, Kristaps Porzingis suggested there might not be value in Brown playing through his knee injury.
Kristaps Porzingis asked about Jaylen Brown playing through his knee injury:
“He’s a tough dude. He always preaches his warrior mindset. He lives by it. But to what extent we need that right now? Maybe he needs to take care of it and make sure he’s going to be ready for the most… pic.twitter.com/tZaX3ChnPp
— Celtics on CLNS (@CelticsCLNS) April 9, 2025
“He’s a tough dude,” Porzingis said. “He always preaches his warrior mindset. He lives by it. But to what extent we need that right now? Maybe he needs to take care of it and make sure he’s going to be ready for the most important moment.”
When Joe Mazzulla was asked about Brown not playing in the fourth quarter or overtime against the Knicks, he said: “We just got what we needed to get out of him as he continues to push himself and test himself.”
The Orlando Magic will continue to play without two key players
The Magic, meanwhile, will be without Jalen Suggs, who tore the trochlea cartilage in his right knee, and Moritz Wagner, who suffered a season-ending ACL tear earlier this season. They’ll also be without two-way players Mac McClung and Ethan Thompson, who are competing in the G League Finals.
Who do the Celtics have available?
With Brown ruled out, the Celtics have the following players available tonight: Payton Pritchard, Torrey Craig, Jordan Walsh, Sam Hauser, Xavier Tillman, Luke Kornet, Baylor Scheierman, and Neemias Queta.
Two-way players JD Davison, Miles Norris, and Drew Peterson are also available for the matchup, and went through warm-ups with the player development staff.
The Celtics two-way players — Miles Norris, JD Davison, and Drew Peterson — are all here and could see some big minutes with the Celtics shorthanded tonight (no Jrue, Derrick, Tatum, Brown, Horford, Kristaps) pic.twitter.com/ZCG9ukn8d7
— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) April 9, 2025