4 Key Celtics Could Miss Pistons Clash with Injuries

Jun 9, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA: Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) reacts with guard Derrick White (9) after defeating the Dallas Mavericks in game two of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images | David Butler II-Imagn Images

The 0-2 Boston Celtics could be without up to four critical pieces in its third match of the season, slated for Sunday against the 1-1 Detroit Pistons.

More news: Celtics' Anfernee Simons Knows Exactly What He Needs to Improve This Year

Per Noa Dalzell of CLNS, three players could be missing alongside six-time All-Star power forward Jayson Tatum.

Celtics Injury Report vs. Detroit (10/26):

Jaylen Brown - Left Hamstring Strain Reconditioning - QUESTIONABLE
Luka Garza - Concussion Protocol - QUESTIONABLE
Jayson Tatum - Right Achilles Repair - OUT
Derrick White - Right Wrist Sprain PROBABLE

— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) October 25, 2025

Both four-time All-Star small forward Jaylen Brown and new center signing Luka Garza are considered merely questionable to suit up. Brown, who's been dealing with a left hamstring strain, has yet to drop a game. Garza missed Boston's 105-95 loss to the New York Knicks on Friday with a concussion.

More news: Multiple Celtics Free Agent Signings Disrespected in New Position Rankings

Two-time All-Defensive Team guard Derrick White has been downgraded to merely probable to play through a sprained right wrist.

Boston remains winless this season, and without its top two players (not counting Tatum, who'll miss likely most or maybe all of 2025-26 anyway) in Brown and White, that winless streak could extend to three straight games on Sunday.

A 6-foot-6 University of California at Berkeley product, Brown is averaging 24.0 points on .500/.455/.700 shooting splits, 5.0 boards, 3.5 assists (against a career-worst 4.5 turnovers), and 0.5 swipes per. The 6-foot-6 White, 31, is averaging what would be a career-best 20.0 points on .316/.292/.900 shooting splits, plus 4.0 dimes, 3.5 boards, 1.0 steals and 1.0 rejections a night.

Garza, 26, was only available for six minutes in the Celtics' season opener, a 117-116 heartbreaker against the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday. He grabbed one board and blocked a single shot.

Over the summer, team general manager Brad Stevens traded away starters Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday while letting reserve centers Al Horford and Luke Kornet depart for richer free agent deals than he was willing to give.

Offensive Hubs for a Renovated Boston

With Tatum healing and Porzingis and Holiday out the door, it was always anticipated that Brown and White would become the club's offensive fulcrums, with opportunities for guards Payton Pritchard and Anfernee Simons to handle the ball and put up shots.

Pritchard, the reigning Sixth Man of the Year, is struggling to score efficiently in his new gig. He's averaging 12.0 points while slashing .333/.143/.857, plus 5.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.5 steals across 36.5 minutes a game.

Simons, who's backing up Pritchard and White off the bench, has been averaging 11.5 points on .474/.300/.667 shooting splits in the early going, plus 2.5 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 2.0 steals per.

For more news and notes on the Boston Celtics, visit Boston Celtics on SI.