Inside The Celtics

Celtics Reveal Surprising Full Injury Report For Showdown vs Lakers

Which Boston players will suit up against their loathed Los Angeles rivals?
Jan 27, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA;  Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) guard Jaylen Brown (7) and guard Jrue Holiday (4) on the bench during the second half against the LA Clippers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
Jan 27, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) guard Jaylen Brown (7) and guard Jrue Holiday (4) on the bench during the second half against the LA Clippers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images | Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

In this story:


Which Boston Celtics players will be available to suit up in a clash against their long-loathed NBA rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers, in a matchup on Thursday night?

In something of a shock, no Boston standard roster players are listed on the team's injury report ahead of the evening's matchup, per Noa Dalzell of SB Nation.

More Celtics: Steph Curry Comments on Celtics' Post-Championship Struggles

This is a rare clean injury slate for the veteran-laden Celtics.

One-time All-Star Boston center Kristaps Porzingis has only been available for 19 games this year, after missing the Celtics' first 17 contests of the season while recovering from an injury.

More Celtics: 3 Bold Celtics Player Trades to Shake Up Boston

When healthy, Porzingis has been his typically productive two-way self. The 7-foot-2 big man is averaging 18.7 points on .465/.384/.837 shooting splits, 7.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.4 blocks and 0.7 steals a night.

The 31-13 Celtics are riding relatively high after winning two consecutive contests, and currently occupy the No. 2 overall seed in the Eastern Conference, behind only the 36-7 Cleveland Cavaliers.

Los Angeles and Boston are the two halves of perhaps the most storied rivalry in the history of the NBA. They are the top two title winners in the league, with the Celtics having won an NBA-record 18 championships (including last year's) and the Lakers having notched 17. The two clubs have met each other a record 12 times in the NBA Finals, with Boston leading those encounters 9-3.

This year's Lakers aren't looking likely to meet Boston in the 2025 NBA Finals, however. Led by aging All-Stars LeBron James (the league's oldest active player at age 40) and Anthony Davis, the Lakers are 23-18 on the year and occupy the Western Conference's fifth seed.

Per the NBA's most recent injury report, only Boston's three two-way players — JD Davison, Drew Peterson and Anton Watson — are away from the team, as all are putting in reps with the Celtics' NBAGL affiliate, the Maine Celtics.

Davis (right calf soreness) and James (left foot injury management) are both probable to play. Veteran big men Jarred Vanderbilt (right foot surgery recovery) and Christian Wood (left knee surgery recovery) are the only confirmed rotation pieces on the shelf for Los Angeles.

Through 38 games each, Davis is averaging 25.7 points on .523/.318/.782 shooting splits, 11.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists, while James is averaging 23.7 points on .513/.398/.763 shooting splits, 9.0 assists and 7.5 rebounds.

More Celtics:

Steve Kerr Postgame Fail Goes Viral After Celtics Blow Out Warriors

Boston Head Coach Joe Mazzulla Completely Ignores Questions on 5-Second Clock Violation

For all the latest news and notes on the reigning champs, stay tuned to Celtics On SI.


Published | Modified
Alex Kirschenbaum
ALEX KIRSCHENBAUM

Currently also a scribe for Newsweek, Hoops Rumors, The Sporting News and "Gremlins" director Joe Dante's film site Trailers From Hell, Alex is an alum of Men's Journal, Grizzlies fan site Grizzly Bear Blues, and Bulls fan sites Blog-A-Bull and Pippen Ain't Easy, among others.