Despite missing five key players, including Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, and Jrue Holiday, the Boston Celtics were able to pick up their third-straight win.
On Thursday, Jayson Tatum led the Celtics to a 123-105 win over a shorthanded Philadelphia 76ers squad at TD Garden. Playing in only three quarters, Tatum paved the way for Boston with 35 points and seven rebounds.
The Celtics will return to action on Saturday evening, hosting their rival, the Los Angeles Lakers, and their new duo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. The Lakers notably took the first contest in late January when Anthony Davis was still on the team.
Brown was forced to miss the win over Philadelphia due to a right knee posterior impingement, marking his 11th missed game of the season. However, on Friday, when the Celtics revealed their latest injury report, Brown was nowhere to be found, meaning the former California star will likely be playing the rival.
Al Horford and Sam Hauser were forced to sit out against Philadelphia as well. Hauser remains on the injury report, questionable with a right ankle sprain. Horford, like Brown, found himself off of it as well. Porzingis (illness, non-COVID) and Holiday (right hand mallet finger) are also questionable. Both players have missed numerous games over the past few weeks.
Brown might not be having as efficient of a season as we’re used to seeing from him, averaging a career-low 32.2% from three. Still, he is playing at a high level, tallying 23.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.8 assists, making his 4th All-Star appearance in the process.
Following the Lakers game, the Celtics will be back in action on Monday, facing the Utah Jazz. Then, on Wednesday, they will get another challenge in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
