Boston Celtics Much Healthier This Time Around vs. Sixers
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When the Philadelphia 76ers last faced the Boston Celtics, the latter team was dealing with quite a few injuries. The circumstances are much different when the two teams meet for the third time this season on Saturday night.
During the February 8 matchup between the Sixers and the Celtics in Boston, the Eastern Conference’s top seed missed their usual player JD Davison, who was on assignment with Boston’s G League affiliate. In addition, the Celtics were without Danilo Gallinari, who is recovering from a major knee injury.
Aside from the usual players, the Celtics also missed three starters. The big man Robert Williams III and the defensive standout Marcus Smart were both ruled out in advance. While Al Horford had a chance to play, as he was questionable ahead of the matchup, the Celtics ruled him out before tip-off.
And while Celtics star Jaylen Brown was healthy going into the matchup, he suffered an injury during the first half. After being ruled out for the entire second half, Boston officially missed four out of five starters against the Sixers.
Yet, it didn’t make a difference. Boston still took care of business against Philadelphia back in early February. After putting the Sixers away 106-99, the Celtics improved their regular season record against the Sixers to 2-0.
When the two teams meet for the third time on Saturday night in South Philly, the Celtics will be much healthier, as Horford, Williams, Brown, and Smart are all cleared for action.
Boston has just three players on the injury report for Saturday night, as Davison, Gallinari, and the two-way prospect Mfiondu Kabengele are all ruled out. Other than that, the Celtics are relatively healthy.
As for the Sixers, they have four players on the injury report. The two-way prospects Mac McClung and Louis King are both with the Delaware Blue Coats. The second-year guard Jaden Springer is on assignment with them.
Other than those three, Dewayne Dedmon is the only other Sixer on the report. He was listed as out due to left hip soreness.
The Sixers and the Celtics will tip off for a third time this season at 8:30 PM ET.
Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for All76ers, a Sports Illustrated channel. You can follow him for live updates on Twitter: @JGrasso_.
