The Celtics will host the Hawks on Wednesday with another old friend back in town.
Two days after a TD Garden return for Jrue Holiday and Robert Williams, there will likely be an ovation for Kristaps Porzingis, who is back in Boston for the first time as a member of the Hawks.
Porzingis won’t play, however, as he was ruled out with Achilles tendinitis. The big man has struggled with his health all season in Atlanta, playing just 17 of the team’s 48 games.
The Celtics have their own health concerns for Wednesday with a little bug seemingly working its way through Boston’s frontcourt. Luka Garza is questionable to play and Neemias Queta is doubtful, both with a non-Covid illness.
Payton Pritchard is also dealing with a finger issue but didn’t show up on the injury report. Pritchard has missed just one game this season, sitting out a Jan. 17 win over Atlanta.
The Hawks have won three in a row entering Wednesday.
Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. at TD Garden and on NBC Sports Boston. Here’s a preview.
**When:** Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.
**Where:** TD Garden, Boston
**TV, radio:** NBCSB, WBZ-FM 98.5
**Line:** Boston -6.5. **O/U:** 230.5.
**HAWKS**
**Season record:** 23-25. **vs. spread:** 24-24. **Over/under:** 25-23
**Last 10 games:** 6-4. **vs. spread:** 6-4. **Over/under:** 4-6
**CELTICS**
**Season record:** 29-17. **vs. spread:** 25-21. **Over/under:** 19-27
**Last 10 games:** 6-4. **vs. spread:** 4-6. **Over/under:** 3-7
**TEAM STATISTICS**
**Points per game:** Atlanta 117.8, Boston 116.6
**Points allowed per game:** Atlanta 118.7, Boston 109.9
**Field goal percentage:** Atlanta .475, Boston .470
**Opponent field goal percentage:** Atlanta .476, Boston .447
**3-point percentage:** Atlanta .371, Boston .369
**Opponent 3-point percentage:** Atlanta .355, Boston .363
**Stat of the day:** Sam Hauser is shooting 47.2 percent from 3-point range in January.
**Notes:** Pritchard has been dealing with an injury to a finger on his left (non-shooting) hand. Pritchard said he first injured the finger during a game against Portland on Dec. 28. He appeared to aggravate the injury late in the fourth quarter Monday, but returned to the game following a quick trip to the locker room.“When you play basketball, you deal with finger injuries,” Pritchard said. “I’ve been dealing with it, jamming it back and forth, and then he just kind of hit it.” ... His shooting statistics have improved since the original injury. Pritchard is shooting 46.9 percent from the field and 40.3 percent from 3-point range in January after making just 30.9 percent of his 3-point attempts in December. ... The Hawks have a better record on the road (14-12) than at home (9-13) this season. ... Porzingis has missed the last nine games with Achilles tendinitis and won’t play Wednesday. The Hawks said Porzingis will be evaluated in early February. ... Atlanta forward Zaccarie Risacher also missed his ninth straight game Monday because of a knee contusion. While the team said he may be ready to play in Wednesday’s game, he’s since been ruled out.
Amin Touri can be reached at [amin.touri@globe.com](mailto:amin.touri@globe.com).