Boston

Celtics

Brown did not play in Thursday’s win over the 76ers, sitting due to a sore knee. The game was also Boston’s second game in as many nights. He’ll return to the starting lineup, with Drew Peterson returning to the bench. Peterson, who logged 13 minutes on Thursday, may fall out of the rotation entirely.

Horford did not play in Thursday’s win over the 76ers, the Celtics’ second game in as many nights. Whether he starts or comes off the bench Saturday night will depend on the availability of Kristaps Porzingis (illness) and Jrue Holiday (finger), who are questionable. Horford will be among the starters if one (or both) cannot play.

While Porzingis said via social media that he will be available for Saturday’s game, the Celtics officially list him as questionable. The 7-foot-3 center has missed Boston’s last four games with an illness. Porzingis will be in the starting lineup if he can play.

Holiday has missed the Celtics’ last four games, but at least has a chance of returning Saturday given his questionable listing. The 34-year-old point guard’s return would negatively impact Derrick White and Payton Pritchard, though both players will still be involved in the offense.

Hauser was held out of Thursday’s win over the 76ers, as he sprained his right ankle the night prior against Portland. With Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum available, Hauser’s role will be limited if the Celtics clear him to play against the resurgent Lakers.

Porzingis responded to an Instagram comment that asked if he would play against the Lakers, and he said “yes”. We’ll see what the injury report says officially, but it seems likely that he will suit up in a matchup between the current No. 2 seeds in each conference. His return, along with the potential return of Al Horford, would limit the minutes of Luke Kornet and Neemias Queta.

White added six assists and three boards. He sank just 2-of-10 triples after going off for 41 points and knocking down 9-of-17 shots from beyond the arc on Wednesday. He went to the locker room after taking an elbow to the face and losing a tooth early in the fourth quarter, but he returned, so fantasy managers shouldn’t expect him to miss any time. Superstitious Celtics fans may be excited over the dental injury, as White lost a tooth in the decisive Game 5 of last season’s NBA Finals when Boston closed out Dallas to win the championship.

Though Boston won this one handily, Tatum’s scoring was certainly needed. He scored 35 on 14-of-23 shooting while the other four starters combined for 27 points on 12-of-31 shooting. Tatum went 5-of-11 from downtown, while the other starters hit just 2-of-13. Fortunately for Tatum, the bench trio of Torrey Craig, Baylor Scheierman and Payton Pritchard delivered 46 points and nine three-pointers, but this was a game in which Tatum needed to step up, and he answered the call.

The rookie out of Creighton came into this one averaging just over six minutes per game across 15 appearances for the Celtics. With so many injuries across the roster, Boston was forced to lean on Scheierman, Neemias Queta, Torrey Craig and Drew Peterson. Scheierman was the best of that group, and he set a number of career highs, including points, three-pointers, assists and minutes. Don’t expect a repeat performance unless Boston is decimated with injuries again.

Boston was already shorthanded on Wednesday and will have even fewer options available against Philadelphia. Tatum and White are the only two typical starters available. Peterson will make his first start of the season, but Payton Pritchard will likely fill out more minutes after scoring 43 points on Wednesday.