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The Latest on the Health Front for Sunday's Celtics-Warriors Clash
Sunday afternoon at TD Garden, the Boston Celtics welcome the Golden State Warriors. The visitors got the best of the hosts of this matinee matchup when they battled in the Bay in late December.
Despite entering the final frame with 13 points, five fouls, and his team down by double digits, Stephen Curry erupted for 20 points in the last 17 minutes, propelling Golden State to a 132-126 victory, outscoring Boston 46 to 29 across the fourth quarter and overtime.
And while the two-time league MVP's status for Sunday's edition of this 2022 NBA Finals rematch due to right knee bursitis, after testing it out pregame, Curry will suit up, making this a meaningful measuring stick for the Celtics.
The latter boasts a league-leading 47-12 record and is riding a ten-tilt win streak, the longest in the NBA this season. They've beaten opponents by an average of 19.1 points in this stretch.
But Golden State presents them with perhaps their most arduous challenges in recent seasons. It's a chance to exorcise demons and instill even greater belief that this postseason will end with Boston lifting the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
Earning a win over the Warriors will again require the C's to circumnavigate not having Kristaps Porzingis in the lineup.
The seven-foot-three center did not play in the first meeting between these two this season because of left calf strain injury management stemming from an injury sustained against the Orlando Magic a day after Thanksgiving.
After taking a knee to the thigh in Friday's 138-110 thrashing of the Dallas Mavericks, the former All-Star is out for Sunday's contest due to a left quad contusion.
Brandin Podziemski is inactive for the visitors because of right knee inflammation. Andrew Wiggins remains out for personal reasons.
Sunday's Finals rematch will tip off at 3:30 EST.
Further Reading
'The Best Team in the NBA': Luka Doncic Struck by Celtics' Balance
Tired of Celtics' Playoff Inconsistency, Wyc Grousbeck Decided 'We're Not Running It Back'
76ers Gift Celtics Welcome Playoff Prep: 'Taken Tremendous Steps'
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'
