The Celtics are nearing full strength as they face the Knicks at 8 p.m. Tuesday at TD Garden. Both Derrick White (right calf contusion) and Neemias Queta (left ankle sprain management) are probable for the game. Jayson Tatum remains out due to his Achilles rehab.
White and Queta got the night off in the win over the Cavaliers on Sunday with their respective injuries. The C’s are in the middle of a stretch with five games in seven days, so they both got the night off. Payton Pritchard scored a season-high 42 points against the Cavs to help lead the Celtics to victory.
Queta sprained his left ankle back on Nov. 23 against the Magic. It forced him to miss one game, the win over the Pistons, before he played against the Timberwolves last Saturday. But with the Cavs game being the second night of a back-to-back, the C’s didn’t push it with their starting big man.
Other guys have stepped up when Queta missed those two games. Xavier Tillman was a surprise starter against the Cavaliers. Two-way big man Amari Williams has also gotten some rotation minutes. The C’s have also gone small a few times with wings like Josh Minott at the five, which has resulted in solid minutes.
The C’s and Knicks meet for the second time this season for Tuesday’s game. The Knicks beat the Celtics 105-95 back on Oct. 24 in New York.