With three different starters out, including Jayson Tatum, the Boston Celtics were still able to secure their second-straight win on Wednesday night.
Thanks to 40+ point games from both Derrick White and Payton Pritchard, the Celtics defeated Anfernee Simons and the Portland Trail Blazers 128-118, their 44th win of the 2024-25 NBA season.
Tatum was ruled out for Wednesday's win thanks to a right shoulder impingement, only his fourth missed game of the season. On Thursday, Boston was back in action on the second part of a back-to-back, facing an injury-riddled Philadelphia 76ers team that will be missing Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George.
Coming into the day, Tatum was listed as questionable once again, but as of 6:27 p.m. ET on Thursday, the Celtics have ruled him as available.
Injury Report Update:
Sam Hauser (right ankle sprain) - OUT
Jayson Tatum - AVAILABLE https://t.co/NElVmcRcKf
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) March 6, 2025
Boston fans will be happy to see their superstar back, but the Celtics will still be shorthanded against the 76ers. Jaylen Brown (right knee posterior impingement), Jrue Holiday (right hand mallet finger), Kristaps Porzingis (illness, non-COVID), Al Horford (left big toe sprain), and Sam Hauser (right ankle sprain) have all been ruled out.
Tatum has put together another solid season just one year removed from his first NBA Finals win. The former Duke star is averaging 26.8 points and career highs of 8.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists and is likely on his way to a fifth All-NBA appearance.
Following the 76ers game, Tatum and the Celtics will be back in action on Saturday, hosting the Los Angeles Lakers and their new duo of LeBron James and Luka Doncic.
Related: NBA Makes Historic Celtics Announcement
Copyright 2025 Athlon Sports. All rights reserved.
This story was originally published March 6, 2025 at 6:14 PM.