The Celtics and Hawks both will be missing big men when they square off Wednesday night at TD Garden.
Boston downgraded starting center Neemias Queta from doubtful to out Wednesday afternoon. Queta has dealt with an illness since late last week but was able to play in games against Brooklyn last Friday, Chicago on Saturday and Portland on Monday. This will be just his third DNP of the season.
Queta’s backup, Luka Garza, was upgraded from questionable to available after sitting out Monday’s win over the Trail Blazers with an illness. Garza and rookie center Amari Williams likely will share frontcourt duties against Atlanta.
Williams, a two-way player who’s spent most of the season in the G League, set career highs for points (nine), rebounds (seven) and minutes played (26) on Monday. Teammate Jaylen Brown called his performance against Portland “exceptional.”
The Hawks ruled out former Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis, who will miss his 10th straight game with Achilles tendonitis. This was set to be the first game back in Boston for the 2024 NBA champion since his offseason trade to Atlanta. Porzingis’ injury also sidelined him for the Celtics’ 132-106 win at Atlanta on Jan. 17.
Atlanta also ruled out forward Zaccharie Risacher (knee) for Wednesday’s matchup, which tips off at 7:30 p.m.