The Celtics will face off with a shorthanded Thunder squad on Wednesday night when Oklahoma City makes their only visit to TD Garden in the regular season. Starting wing Jalen Williams has been downgraded to out by the team after he suffered a hip strain in a loss to the Nuggets on Monday night.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault told reporters at shootaround that Williams remains back in Oklahoma City per Tim Bontemps of ESPN and there is no timetable for his return. Reserve guard Alex Caruso was also a late addition to the Thunder injury report. He’s listed as questionable due to illness.
Without Williams available, the Thunder will likely start Aaron Wiggins or Cason Wallace alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the backcourt.
The Thunder will be taking on a Celtics squad that could be back at full strength for the first time in weeks. Three starters are listed on the injury report both all have a chance of playing.
Jayson Tatum (right knee tendinopathy) is questionable while Jaylen Brown (right knee posterior impingement) is probable. Tatum missed Monday’s win over the Jazz with the injury after playing 45 minutes on Saturday night against the Lakers.
Kristaps Porzingis was upgraded to questionable as he continues to deal with illness that has sidelined him for the past six games.
“I have been dealing with some viral illness that we haven’t been able to fully identify yet,” Porzingis posted on social media Monday night. “I am recovering and getting better. But still working my way back to full strength to help this team. Thanks for support and Im hoping for a healthy return soon.”
All three players were spotted at Celtics shootaround on Wednesday morning. The Thunder will be looking for a season sweep of Boston after a dominant second half performance in a 105-92 win over the Celtics on Jan. 5. Boston mustered just 27 second half points in that outing.
The Celtics and Thunder will tip off at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday night in a nationally televised showdown on ESPN.
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