On Second Night of a Back-to-Back, Celtics Down Three Starters vs. Jazz

Friday night in Portland, the Celtics improved to 3-1 on their six-game road trip, earning a 126-112 win over the Trail Blazers.

The victory moves Boston within 1.5 games of the Bucks. The two will meet in Milwaukee on Mar. 30. The hosts, traveling from Indiana, will be on the second night of a back-to-back.

The Celtics' win vs. Damian Lillard and co. also preserved their one-game edge over the Sixers, the third seed in the Eastern Conference. They'll meet again in Philadelphia on Apr. 4.

As the defending Eastern Conference champions work to reclaim the top spot in the East and fend off the hard-charging Sixers, Saturday night against the Jazz, they'll be short-handed on the second night of a back-to-back.

Boston is without three starters.

Robert Williams will miss his eighth-straight tilt due to a left hamstring strain. Ahead of the Celtics' win against the Timberwolves on Wednesday, head coach Joe Mazzulla said he's hopeful Williams is back "in the next week or so."

In keeping with tradition, on the second night of a back-to-back, Al Horford is out due to lower back stiffness. The visitors are also without Marcus Smart, who has a left hip contusion.

Payton Pritchard will miss his sixth-consecutive contest due to left heel pain.

#NEBHInjuryReport vs. Utah:

Danilo Gallinari (left knee ACL repair) - OUT
Al Horford (low back stiffness) - OUT
Payton Pritchard (left heel pain)- OUT
Marcus Smart (left hip contusion) - OUT
Robert Williams (left hamstring strain) - OUT
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) March 18, 2023

Absent from Boston's injury report is Jayson Tatum. The four-time All-Star is dealing with a left hip contusion he suffered after a hard fall following a thunderous dunk when he met Rudy Gobert at the rim.

Jayson Tatum catching bodies 😳 pic.twitter.com/CBEoWqvCGr
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) March 16, 2023

At Friday's shoot around, Tatum described how he's feeling as "like a five (out of ten), I guess. (I) took a hard fall. Feels better than it did (Thursday) morning. The next couple (of) days is just icing and stuff like that."

The Celtics will also have Malcolm Brogdon in the lineup after he missed the win against the Trail Blazers due to right Achilles soreness.

Saturday night's game vs. the Jazz tips off at 9 pm EST; Inside The Celtics will have content related to the game before, during, and afterward. And follow @BobbyKrivitsky on Twitter for updates and analysis from pregame to post.

Further Reading

As Celtics Head to Utah, Jayson Tatum Opens Up About Relationship with Danny Ainge: 'I'm Very Thankful for Him'

Al Horford and Marcus Smart Credit Joe Mazzulla for Celtics' Recent Success

Joe Mazzulla Explains What's Different About the Celtics Since Their Loss in Houston

Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Win vs. Trail Blazers: Boston Fueled by Its Defense and Ball Movement

Jaylen Brown Wants the Celtics to Get Back to the Defensive Identity that Helped them Reach the Finals

Jayson Tatum Made the Face of New Gatorade Ad Campaign

Jaylen Brown Calls on the Celtics to Show Greater Urgency: 'It's Up to Leadership to Make Sure We Don't Drop the Ball'