The Celtics will be shorthanded against the Trail Blazers for their 6 p.m. Sunday game, but the extent of it was unknown going into the game. In total, the Celtics will be without three starters and four total players when they play Portland.
Jayson Tatum was upgraded from questionable to available as he was listed with right knee tendinopathy. But Kristaps Porzingis (return from illness conditioning) and Jrue Holiday (shoulder) are both out. Considering the C’s have a back-to-back coming up, they’re likely saving Porzingis for the second game, as well, staggering their guys.
Jaylen Brown (right knee) and Xavier Tillman (left knee joint sprain) were already both listed as out ahead of the game. The Celtics announced last Friday that Brown was dealing with a bone bruise with posterior impingement in his right knee, which will be re-evaluated Monday.
The C’s also play the Kings at 10 p.m. Monday in Sacramento, so they’ll rest guys on the back-to-back. Al Horford will likely miss Monday’s game, plus they could sit some of their other starters. Boston is currently on a six-game road trip, so the team will be smart about its star players with the playoffs next month.
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