Celtics Remain Shorthanded at Center Tuesday vs. Pacers

On Monday night at TD Garden, the Boston Celtics improved to 21-2 on the parquet this season, earning a 118-112 win over the New Orleans Pelicans, bringing their NBA-leading record to 35-11.

At the center of that victory was Derrick White breaking out of his shooting slump, going from missing 16 of his last 17 attempts to erupting for 13 points and converting on 5/6 fourth-quarter field goals.

After the game, the former Colorado Buffalo opened up about struggling to find his rhythm and the unwavering support he received from the Celtics as he worked to get his groove back.

White's opportunity to build on the momentum from Monday's final frame comes a day later against the Indiana Pacers.

It's Boston's first opportunity to face them since the latter acquired Pascal Siakam. They're 3-3 since doing so, including registering a 116-110 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday. Indiana is 27-20 and sixth in the Eastern Conference standings.

As these two teams prepare for their first meeting since a controversial finish that had Jaylen Brown calling for the Celtics to protest the outcome, the hosts of Tuesday night's tilt know they'll again be shorthanded at the pivot.

Al Horford not playing on the second night of a back-to-back is par for the course. The former Florida Gator generated 11 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and a block in Monday's victory vs. the Pelicans.

Boston's latest injury report also initially lists Kristaps Porzingis, who's dealing with a left ankle sprain that's kept him out of its last two tilts, as questionable for the second-straight contest.

Luke Kornet, who exited Saturday's loss to the Los Angeles Clippers with hamstring tightness, is considered doubtful to suit up on Tuesday. The seven-foot-two center did not play against New Orleans.

Ahead of Monday's win, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla conveyed of Porzingis and Kornet's respective recoveries, "They both did their own version of a workout today to see how they feel, and I think it'll be a day-to-day thing."

On the other side of this matchup, the Pacers expect Tyrese Haliburton back in the lineup after missing ten of their last 11 games due to a grade 1 left hamstring strain suffered when his leg slipped out from under him the last time these two teams played.

Further Reading

Derrick White Opens Up About Shooting Slump After Propelling Celtics Past Pelicans: 'Don't Feel Sorry for Yourself'

Jrue Holiday Hopes Celtics Tenure Extends Beyond This Season

Celtics Maturation Molded by Experience: 'It Builds, Like, an Armor'

Here's What Stood Out as Celtics Top Heat in One of Their Best Performances This Season

Celtics Finding Joy in Basketball and Each Other's Company: 'We've Been Blessed'

Fixated on Winning, Jayson Tatum Again Proves He's Not 'Bored Making the Right Play Over and Over'

Brad Stevens Shares What Celtics Are Looking to Add and How He Hopes to Do So

Derrick White Opens Up About Journey from Uncertainty He Belonged in the NBA to an All-Star Caliber Guard

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'

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