Boston Celtics injury report: 3 rotation players listed for Lakers game

Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) in action during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)AP

The Celtics are getting healthier, though they still have multiple rotation players listed on the injury report ahead of their 8:30 p.m. Saturday game against the Lakers at TD Garden. The game is shaping up to be one of the more anticipated regular-season games between the two longtime rivals as the Lakers bring in plenty of star power to Boston.

The C’s have three players listed as questionable on the injury report. Jrue Holiday (mallet finger), Kristaps Porzingis (illness) and Sam Hauser (right ankle) have all missed at least some time in recent games. Notably, Al Horford and Jaylen Brown are good to go Saturday after missing Thursday’s blowout win over the 76ers.

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Both Porzingis and Holiday have missed the past four games. Porzingis has been the curious case over the past week. He initially missed last week’s win over the Raptors as a late scratch before playing in the Pistons loss a day later. However, he’s sat every game since then. C’s coach Joe Mazzulla gave an update on the big man Thursday, plus Porzingis was on the C’s bench for the Sixers win. So it appears he’s nearing his return sometime soon, which could be Saturday.

“He’s sick,” Mazzulla said. “He’s coming into the facility every day trying to get shots up, sweat it out. He’s just not feeling well. He is working to get back.”

Holiday hurt his finger last week in the Pistons loss and hasn’t played since then. At this point, it’s unclear when he’ll be back from the mallet finger, but his questionable status is at least a positive sign. Hauser tweaked his ankle in the Wednesday win over the Blazers, though it doesn’t appear to be a serious injury.

The Lakers have five guys listed on their injury report, including LeBron James (left foot) and Luka Doncic (knee). However, both stars are probable as they’ll likely play Saturday. Rui Hachimura (left patellar) and Maxi Kleber (right foot surgery) are out for the game. Big man Jaxson Hayes (knee) is also listed as questionable.

There will be plenty of eyeballs on Saturday’s game between the Celtics and Lakers. It’s the first time Doncic will play in the historic rivalry ever since his stunning trade from the Mavericks. The Lakers are also soaring high, playing some of their best ball of the season. They bring an eight-game win streak into Saturday’s game as they’re 40-21 on the season, good for second in the West. The Lakers beat the C’s in Boston’s worst loss of the season back in January in Los Angeles.