The Celtics might be fielding a depleted starting five when they host the Atlanta Hawks on Friday.
Boston listed starting wing Jaylen Brown (left calf tightness), guard Derrick White (right knee contusion) and center Neemias Queta (right thumb sprain) as questionable for the game at TD Garden.
All three played in Wednesday night’s [119-109 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder](https://www.bostonherald.com/2026/03/25/jaylen-brown-outduels-sga-as-celtics-top-thunder-in-potential-finals-preview/) and have been durable this season, combining to miss just 14 games thus far, all for minor injuries or rest purposes.
Head coach Joe Mazzulla frequently rested starters down the stretch in each of the last two seasons. The Celtics’ current playoff position is far more unsettled than it was in 2024 or 2025 — when they were essentially locked into the Nos. 1 and 2 seeds in the Eastern Conference, respectively, by mid-March — but it appears Mazzulla still will look to lighten his top players’ workloads as Boston battles New York for second in the East.
The 48-24 Celtics held a half-game lead over the Knicks entering Thursday’s action, with Detroit four games up in first place.
With Nikola Vucevic not yet ready to return [from finger surgery](https://www.bostonherald.com/2026/03/24/joe-mazzulla-shares-positive-update-on-injured-celtics-big-man/), Luka Garza likely would start against Atlanta if Queta can’t go, with two-way rookie Amari Williams and 10-day signee Charles Bassey serving as depth options.
If Brown sits, this would be Jayson Tatum’s first game without his longtime co-star since his comeback from Achilles surgery earlier this month. Brown and Tatum combined for 50 points, 20 rebounds, 15 assists and five steals against OKC in arguably their best collective performance this season.
Baylor Scheierman and Payton Pritchard would be the top options to start if Brown and/or White are inactive. Reserve wings Jordan Walsh and Ron Harper Jr. could see larger roles, as well.
The Hawks would be a challenging matchup for even a full-strength Celtics squad, as they’ve been one of the NBA’s hottest teams over the last month. Atlanta has won 14 of its last 15 games, including an overtime victory over the East-leading Pistons on Wednesday.