Luke

Kornet

Porzingis sat out of Friday’s game against Milwaukee, but he’ll be back in the mix against the Pistons. Al Horford will sit out this game after playing on Friday, so Porzingis will fill the starting center role.

With both Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford sitting out the second night of the back-to-back, Kornet got the starting nod at center. He only logged 27 minutes, but he was able to make an impact in the box score, mostly through his blocked shots. Kornet hasn’t been able to make much of a fantasy impact this year, especially since Porzingis returned to the lineup. However, the Celtics do have another back-to-back coming up this week on Friday and Saturday. Kornet may be able to get another start, unless Joe Mazzulla opts to stagger the availability of Porzingis and Horford, in which case Kornet would likely play a large reserve role in both games.

Previous reports indicated that Payton Pritchard and Neemias Queta would start, but they’ll play reserve roles in this game. Pritchard should still play a ton of minutes, but it will be Walsh that will get his first start of the year and the second of his career. Kornet will start at center, but he will likely split the minutes with Queta.

No surprises here, as both big men played Sunday and will sit out the second leg of Boston’s back-to-back set. Neemias Queta is worth streaming in this spot as the presumed starter. Luke Kornet could be valuable in deeper leagues with extra playing time on tap.

Sunday’s game is the first of two in as many days for the Celtics, who host Miami on Monday. Fantasy managers should expect Horford and Porzingis to miss one of those games. Neemias Queta and Luke Kornet will have added streaming value during these days, with the former offering a little more value to managers seeking rebounds.

Kornet missed Boston’s last two games, but he’ll be back on the floor for Friday’s game against the Bulls. His return will cut into Neemias Queta’s minutes, which increased in his absence. With Al Horford available, Kornet doesn’t have much fantasy value.

Kornet has missed Boston’s last two games, most recently sitting out Monday’s win over the Clippers. Neemias Queta has played more rotation minutes and will continue to do so if Kornet cannot play in Chicago. With Al Horford available, Kornet’s fantasy value will be limited if cleared to play.

Horford sitting out Monday’s game is unsurprising, as he does not usually play both games of back-to-backs. His and Kornet’s absences free up minutes in the post, with Neemias Queta and Xavier Tillman in position to benefit. Also, Kristaps Porzingis is available to make his season debut, but the expectation is that his minutes will be restricted.

Kristaps Porzingis will make his season debut Monday, but don’t expect big minutes in his first game back. Instead, look to Neemias Queta to see meaningful playing time at center while Horford and Kornet are sidelined.

Kornet didn’t make the team’s initial injury report, but he has been ruled out less than an hour before tipoff. Neemias Queta and Xavier Tillman should split a few extra minutes off the bench, but with Al Horford back, neither will be worth streaming.