The Celtics will likely be without Jaylen Brown on Saturday night for their matchup with the Toronto Raptors. The team announced the All-Star is doubtful for the matchup due to a non-COVID illness.
Brown has missed just one game for the Celtics this season, sitting out a win over the Wizards earlier this month also due to illness. The forward is in the midst of one of the best seasons of his career, posting 29.3 points per game while shooting a career-high 50 percent from the field. He scored 30 points in Friday’s win over the Heat but did not speak with reporters after the victory.
Without Brown available, the Celtics will likely turn to another wing in their starting lineup with Sam Hauser and Hugo Gonzalez both being potential options. Boston will have the remainder of their roster available outside of Jayson Tatum (torn Achilles).
The Raptors will likely be without two starters for Saturday’s tilt against Boston. RJ Barrett remains sidelined with a knee injury for the Raptors while starting center Jakob Poeltl was downgraded to doubtful due to a lower back injury.
Boston won the only head-to-head matchup against the Raptors on December 7 with a 121-113 road victory. The winner of Saturday’s matchup will move into sole possession of third place in the Eastern Conference.
The Celtics and Raptors tip off from Scotiabank Arena at 7 p.m. on Saturday night.