Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Celtics Star Wings Uncertain for Saturday's Game vs. Suns
Thursday night at Ball Arena, in a potential NBA Finals preview, the Boston Celtics lost their second consecutive matchup for only the second time this season.
Their 48-14 record still has them comfortably atop the league standings, with a 4.5-game cushion.
Saturday, they'll face a Phoenix Suns team that's 6-4 in their last ten tilts, winners of two straight, and 37-26, placing them sixth in the Western Conference.
But the hosts will have to overcome the absence of Devin Booker, who's dealing with a sprained right ankle that may keep him from suiting up when these two teams square off at TD Garden on Mar. 14.
As for the visitors, Jaylen Brown, who played through a sacroiliac strain on Thursday, generating 41 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, and two steals in Boston's 115-109 loss to the Nuggets, is listed as questionable for Saturday's contest.
The Mayo Clinic defines a sacroiliac strain as follows:
"A painful condition that affects one or both sacroiliac joints. These joints sit where the lower spine and pelvis meet. Sacroiliitis can cause pain and stiffness in the buttocks or lower back, and the pain might go down one or both legs."
Jayson Tatum is also on the Celtics' injury report. The five-time All-Star finished with 15 points on 5/13 shooting, dished out eight assists, grabbed four rebounds, and swiped two steals vs. the defending champions.
But he also had five turnovers, an errant pass on a potential alley-oop to Brown with the C's down two in the final minute before missing an open corner three for the lead on the same possession.
He also failed to account for Aaron Gordon twice in crunch time, resulting in a put-back dunk and an alley-oop from Nikola Jokic to help Denver seal the win.
Tatum, surely eager to get rid of the sour taste from a night where his MVP case slammed shut, is probable to play on Saturday because of a right ankle impingement.
Boston also lists Neemias Queta as probable. The 24-year-old from Portugal is dealing with a hyperextended right knee and has not played since the All-Star break.
Further Reading
'So Be It': Jayson Tatum's Focus Was Never MVP Case That's Likely Closed
Warriors' 'Disrespect' Only One Source of Fuel for Jaylen Brown Sunday
'The Best Team in the NBA': Luka Doncic Struck by Celtics' Balance
Jaylen Brown's Evolution Crucial to Celtics' Desire to Win with More Than Talent
Celtics Embracing Challenge to Go Beyond Most Talented
Jayson Tatum Opens Up About Sacrificing in Celtics' Title Pursuit: 'It's a Process'
Brad Stevens Discusses Celtics' Plan for Final Roster Spot
Marcus Smart Shares How Boston Shaped Him, His Message to Celtics Fans
Celtics Maturation Molded by Experience: 'It Builds, Like, an Armor'
Jaylen Brown Quieting Doubters, Validating What He Always Believed: 'Earn Everybody's Trust'
Joe Mazzulla Discusses Identity, Evolution of Celtics' Offense: 'Balance of Pace and Execution'
