Celtics Down a Starter for Friday's Game vs. Magic

The Boston Celtics have a chance Friday to punch their ticket to the quarterfinals of the NBA's inaugural in-season tournament.

They're 2-0, earning a 121-107 win over the Brooklyn Nets and a 108-105 victory vs. the Toronto Raptors. They are the only team in Group C without a loss yet.

Derrick White shoots what proves the game-winning three in the Celtics' 108-105 win vs. the Raptors.

But now they face an Orlando Magic team that gave them difficulty last season, including winning two straight games in a miniseries at TD Garden.

Led by Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, the impressive young core leading the hosts of Friday's matchup has guided the Magic to a promising start to the 2023-24 campaign.

Fresh off a 124-119 victory over Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets, Orlando, 10-5, is in a four-way tie for second in the Eastern Conference standings. The Magic are allowing 107.5 points per 100 possessions, tied with Boston for the second-best defensive rating in the NBA.

The Celtics initially got good news on the health front ahead of Friday's game in Orlando, with Jaylen Brown (right adductor strain) getting upgraded from questionable to available.

Jaylen Brown lays the ball in during the Celtics' 119-116 win vs. the Bucks.

Unfortunately for the visitors, their latest injury report reveals that Jrue Holiday, dealing with a right ankle sprain, is downgraded from doubtful to out for this matchup.

The two-time All-Star rolled his ankle on a play where it appeared he made contact with Brook Lopez's foot after going in for a layup late in Boston's 119-116 victory vs. the Milwaukee Bucks Wednesday. Holiday didn't make it down the court after that. He stayed in the corner on his team's next possession, tending to his leg.

Al Horford will start in his absence.

Friday afternoon's tilt between the Celtics and the Magic will tip-off at 2:30 EST at the Amway Center. Inside The Celtics will have content related to the contest before, during, and afterward. Follow @BobbyKrivitsky on Twitter for updates and analysis from pregame to post.

Further Reading

Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis Discuss Their Quickly Cultivated Chemistry: 'An Automatic Connection'

Here's What Stood Out as Celtics Best Bucks to Stay atop East at Thanksgiving

Jrue Holiday Shares His Perspective on First Matchup vs. Bucks Since They Traded Him

Kristaps Porzingis Explains Why Celtics Have NBA's Best Clutch Record

Here's What Stood Out as Celtics Weather the Storm to Prevail vs. Raptors

Jaylen Brown Blasts In-Season Tournament Court After Injury in Celtics’ Win vs. Raptors

Celtics Discuss Significance of Rivalry Win vs. 76ers for No. 1 Seed in East

Joe Mazzulla Believes Celtics' Second Unit is 'Starting to Develop an Identity'

Kristaps Porzingis Discusses Chemistry with Jaylen Brown: 'I Love Playing with Him'

Kristaps Porzingis Gives Glimpse of How He'll Boost Celtics Late-Game Offense

Under Joe Mazzulla, Celtics Rebuilding Brotherhood Between Past and Present