Inside The Celtics

Celtics Reveal Shocking Injury Report Ahead of Clash vs 76ers

Boston faces off against the lowly Philadelphia on Sunday.
Dec 25, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) shoot a layup against the Boston Celtics during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Dec 25, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) shoot a layup against the Boston Celtics during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images | Eric Canha-Imagn Images

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The Boston Celtics have no injury-related absences on their injury report for Sunday's tilt against the Philadelphia 76ers, according to Noa Dalzell of CLNS.

76ers All-Star center Joel Embiid has been managing a left knee injury since January 4. Former nine-time All-Star Philadelphia small forward Paul George has a left finger extensor tendon injury, forward Caleb Martin is dealing with a left foot stress reaction. Rookie shooting guard Jared McCain is done for the year following a left knee meniscus tear that required surgery.

More Celtics: Pelicans All-Star Dejounte Murray Has Season-Ending Injury vs Celtics

For Boston, this looks to be the second consecutive game in which the reigning champs will be fully healthy. Only two-way players JD Davison and Anton Watson, plus rookie shooting guard Baylor Scheierman, were on the shelf for the team's narrow 118-116 victory over the very injured New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night.

That trio was on assignment to Boston's G League affiliate, the Maine Celtics.

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During Friday's victory, four-time All-Star small forward Jaylen Brown led the Celtics by notching 28 points on 11-of-18 shooting from the field (3-of-6 from long range) and 3-of-4 shooting from the foul line. He also pulled down six rebounds and dished out one dime. Six-time All-Star Celtics power forward Jayson Tatum chipped in 27 points on 10-of-21 shooting from the field (4-of-10 from long range) and 3-of-5 shooting from the charity stripe, while passing for 10 assists, grabbing six rebounds, and swiping one steal.

The game was shockingly close considering how many Pelicans were hurt — and how many Celtics were healthy.

New Orleans was missing both of its All-Star forwards, Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson, plus All-Defensive Team wing Herbert Jones, two-way player Keion Brooks Jr., and shooting guard Antonio Reeves.

One-time All-Star starting Pelicans point guard Dejounte Murray lasted just nine minutes in the first quarter before incurring an ominous non-contact injury, which turned out to be a season-ending Achilles tendon tear.

Read More: Pelicans All-Star Dejounte Murray Has Season-Ending Injury vs Celtics

At 34-15, the Celtics are currently the No. 2 overall seed in the Eastern Conference following the New Orleans win. Philadelphia is 19-28 on the year, and currently the conference's No. 11 seed.

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


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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.