Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Celtics Starter Included on Injury Report Ahead of Showdown vs. Bucks
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The Celtics' 130-111 loss to the Wizards Tuesday night in the nation's capital may prove the final blow to their aspirations of entering the playoffs as the top seed in the East.
Boston now sits 2.5 back of the Bucks with six games left on its regular-season slate. Any hope the defending Eastern Conference champions have of passing Milwaukee in the standings hinges on the Celtics' ability to beat Giannis Antetokounmpo and co. on Thursday.
As Boston aims to bounce back from a defeat where it played down to its competition, a common theme this season, its injury report is as follows.
Robert Williams, whose come off the bench since returning from a nine-game absence due to a left hamstring strain, logged 15 minutes against Washington. He didn't attempt a shot, grabbed four rebounds, and had two blocks.
Having played in only 32 of 76 games, Williams has to build his stamina for what the Celtics hope is a title run. There were multiple occasions on Tuesday where he was slow to get back on defense. Granted, the visitors lacked energy and focus.
As for Grant Williams, the former Tennessee Volunteer's non-Covid illness landed him on Boston's injury report ahead of Tuesday's tilt. He ultimately suited up, finishing with eight points and six rebounds in 26 minutes.
Payton Pritchard, returning from a nine-game absence due to left heel pain, provided a spark for the Celtics in the fourth quarter.
In a final frame that Jayson Tatum, Al Horford, Marcus Smart, and Derrick White didn't play in, and Joe Mazzulla pulled Jaylen Brown after less than three minutes, Pritchard provided five points in nine minutes, as part of a reserve lineup that staged a 12-2 run and got Boston within 13 before its comeback attempt fell short.
As for the Bucks, who play the Pacers Wednesday night in Indiana, Khris Middleton, who doesn't play both halves of back-to-backs this season due to right knee injury management, is out for that matchup, suggesting he'll suit up Thursday.
Jae Crowder is also out due to left calf injury management but could face his former team when Milwaukee hosts the Celtics on Thursday in Boston's last gasp for the one seed in the Eastern Conference.
Update: Payton Pritchard is out, but per the Celtics, Robert Williams and Grant Williams are available for Thursday's matchup.
Khris Middleton and Jae Crowder are available for the Bucks, per Eric Nehm of The Athletic.
Further Reading
Jayson Tatum Reacts to Celtics Potentially Letting Hope for the 1 Seed Slip in Loss vs. Wizards
Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Loss vs. Wizards: Cold Shooting Dooms Boston in Costly Defeat
