The Latest on Celtics' Star's Status for Christmas Clash vs. Lakers

Saturday, the Boston Celtics improved to 2-1 on their West Coast trip, cruising past the Los Angeles Clippers with a 145-108 victory.

They'll now try to cap their four-game visit to California with a win against the Los Angeles Lakers on Christmas.

It helps that they expect to have Jayson Tatum in the lineup for this rivalry showdown. The four-time All-Star is absent from the Celtics' injury report ahead of their Christmas contest against the purple and gold.

He hates to miss games. Sitting out this matchup, in the arena that his childhood idol, Kobe Bryant, starred in, on the marquee date on the NBA's regular season calendar, would've taken an injury more severe than a sprained ankle.

But Tatum, who suffered that injury in Tuesday's 132-126 loss to the Golden State Warriors, was inactive for Boston's 144-119 victory vs. the Sacramento Kings the next night.

And in the second quarter on Saturday, after drilling a side-step three from the left wing, he landed on Kobe Brown's foot, again rolling his left ankle. Brown got whistled for a flagrant-1 for being in Tatum's landing space.

JT hits the 4-point play, but he rolled the same ankle he hurt against the Warriors... 😬

He's still on the court playing pic.twitter.com/ICpIHA2NGs
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) December 23, 2023

After the game, the former Duke Blue Devil shared his immediate reaction as he was lying on the court trying to loosen up his ankle after another instance where he came down on the foot of an opposing player.

Kristaps Porzingis, who missed Saturday's win after spraining his left ankle during the victory vs. the Kings, is questionable for Monday's matchup.

So are Svi Mykhailiuk, who's dealing with a left heel contusion, and Lamar Stevens, who has a non-Covid illness.

Luke Kornet, who has missed six straight games because of a left adductor strain, is probable.

Monday's rivalry clash will tip off at 5:00 p.m. EST. Inside The Celtics will have content related to the game before, during, and afterward. Follow @BobbyKrivitsky on Twitter for updates and analysis from pregame to post.

Further Reading

Joe Mazzulla Discusses Identity, Evolution of Celtics' Offense: 'Balance of Pace and Execution'

Here's What Stood Out as the Celtics Steamrolled the Clippers

Jayson Tatum Joins PR Team for Derrick White’s All-Star Campaign

Kristaps Porzingis Praises Celtics' Offensive Approach in Win vs. Kings: 'Keep Evolving'

After Stinging Loss to Warriors, Boston, Back to 'Celtics' Basketball,' Blowout Kings

Shades of 2022 Finals as Celtics Can't Close vs. Warriors

Jaylen Brown Discusses Growing Leadership Role with Celtics: 'I've Embraced That'

Jaylen Brown Shares His View of What Defines 'Celtics Basketball'

Celtics Utilize Speed Advantage in Run Away Win vs. Magic: 'It Makes the Game Easier'

An Empowered Jaylen Brown Strives to Balance Scoring with Playmaking: 'I've Grown A Lot'

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