Torrey

Craig

Tatum and Porzingis are back after sitting out Wednesday’s loss to the Magic. Their returns mean Torrey Craig and Luke Kornet will head to the bench. While Kornet can provide some value in active fantasy leagues when used in a reserve role, that can’t be said for Craig.

Boston could be without four starters on Wednesday, as Tatum and Jaylen Brown are questionable while Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday are doubtful. Sam Hauser, Torrey Craig and Jordan Walsh would all be in line for more minutes if Tatum were to be sidelined, though the status of Brown will also be a factor in how many minutes are available.

Brown scored 37 points in 34 minutes on Friday, but there is a chance that he is sidelined against Denver. Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis are both doubtful, so Sam Hauser and Torrey Craig will likely both start if Brown is sidelined. However, Payton Pritchard will see a boost in minutes and provide a scoring boost off the bench.

Porzingis, Kornet and Al Horford all sat Tuesday. Horford is on track to return to the lineup, but Porzingis could miss both legs of the back-to-back set. Torrey Craig started at center on Wednesday, though he only logged 15 minutes. Neemias Queta saw 20 minutes off the bench and was the better fantasy option. If Porzingis is ultimately ruled out, expect Horford to be the biggest beneficiary, with Queta offering some deeper-league value.

Craig was a surprise starter on Tuesday, as Kristaps Porzingis (illness) was pulled from the starting lineup and officially ruled out at halftime. Therefore, it was too late to add the veteran forward to fantasy lineups, and that may have saved managers from making a bad decision. Craig missed all five three-point attempts, and Payton Pritchard replaced him in the lineup to begin the third quarter. As he usually does when the Celtics are shorthanded, Pritchard provided increased value, finishing with 20 points (8-of-17 FGs), seven rebounds, two assists, two steals and four three-pointers in 35 minutes. With the Celtics visiting the Pistons on Wednesday, that may be another opportunity for Pritchard to shine, depending on who’s available.

No surprise here as Porzingis was removed from the starting lineup and listed as doubtful just before game-time Tuesday. Torrey Craig slid into the starting lineup while Neemias Queta will also see more minutes with Porzingis, Al Horford and Luke Kornet all out.

Initially announced as a starter, Porzingis was pulled from the lineup shortly before tipoff due to an illness. Torrey Craig made the start, and Porzingis’ absence would also mean more minutes for Neemias Queta.

The Celtics are without Jrue Holiday and Al Horford as they visit the Pistons on Wednesday. Hauser moves into the starting lineup, which raises his fantasy ceiling. Also in line for a boost is Payton Pritchard, who’s already rostered in most standard leagues. Craig starts for Porzingis, who is not on the injury report for Tuesday’s game.

Craig has been cleared to make his Celtics debut Wednesday night. With Jaylen Brown (knee) out, the veteran wing will provide added depth off the bench. Fantasy managers should not expect too much from Craig, who will likely be more valuable to the Celtics than fantasy basketball.

Craig’s availability is inconsequential in the realm of fantasy hoops, but Brown’s absence will have a major impact on Boston’s rotation. If Brown is out again, Sam Hauser could draw another start after getting the nod in Monday’s matchup with Miami. Hauser knocked down five 3-pointers in 24 minutes as a starter against the Heat.