The Latest on the Health Front for the Celtics Ahead of Friday's Game vs. Trail Blazers, Including an Update on Jayson Tatum

The Celtics improved to 2-1 on their six-game road trip and 6-5 since the All-Star break with a 104-102 win over the Timberwolves.

They now head to Portland for their regular-season finale against the Trail Blazers. When Boston hosted Damian Lillard and company, the defending Eastern Conference champions earned a 115-93 victory in which most of their starters got the fourth quarter off.

As the Celtics prepare for the rematch, they'll remain without Robert Williams, who head coach Joe Mazzulla provided an update on before Boston's win in Minnesota, saying he's hopeful that Williams is back "in the next week or so."

The Celtics are also without Oregon native Payton Pritchard, who's missed the last four games due to left heel pain.

#NEBHInjuryReport for tomorrow vs. Portland:

Danilo Gallinari (left knee ACL repair) - OUT
Payton Pritchard (left heel pain)- OUT
Jayson Tatum (left hip contusion) - QUESTIONABLE
Robert Williams (left hamstring strain) - OUT
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) March 16, 2023

Four-time All-Star Jayson Tatum is questionable for Friday night's tilt due to a left hip contusion.

The injury occurred when he met Rudy Gobert at the rim in the third quarter, delivering a thunderous throwdown. Tatum's foot hit Gobert's leg, causing him to spin as he lost his grip on the cylinder. He fell hard to the floor, landing directly on his hip.

Post-game, Tatum conveyed, "came down, fell right on my hip. Pretty sore. Nothing crazy, but just got to monitor it, keep icing it, things like that."

Tatum, who Gatorade recently made the face of their new ad campaign, has played in 65 of Boston's 70 games this season, so it would hardly be surprising if he suits up for Friday night's matchup. However, the Celtics could just as easily use this as an opportunity to rest their star player, who's second in minutes per game by two ticks, logging 37.4 to Pascal Siakam's 37.6, per NBA.com.

Boston's 2.5 games behind the Bucks for the top spot in the Eastern Conference standings; the Celtics are one ahead of the third-seeded Sixers.

Further Reading

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'

Jayson Tatum Discusses His Hard Fall in Third Quarter of Celtics' Win vs. Timberwolves

Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Win vs. Timberwolves: Boston's Defense Keys Bounce-Back Victory

Celtics Convey What They're Focused on Improving as the Playoffs Approach