Celtics
The Whites will only miss their fourth game of the season due to a sprained left hand.
Kristaps Porzingis has not played since March 7 because he has a right hamstring strain. Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff
The Celtics may be starting to give their starters extra rest with less than 20 regular season games remaining.
Before Boston’s 11-55 game against the Washington Wizards on Sunday, the team announced its injury report — and it was a bit lengthy, featuring some notable players.
Kristaps Porzingis is expected to miss his fifth straight game with a right hamstring strain. Head Coach Joe Mazzulla gave a promising update regarding Porzingis’ health on Thursday, but the center will miss at least one more game before returning. The team is expected to give Porzingis as much time as possible to rest and recover as the regular season comes to a close.
The Celtics won every game in his absence, so there is no doubt that the players have improved and will continue to do so.
Al Horford and Luke Kornet started at center for Boston with Porzingis out, as has typically been the case all season if Porzingis is unavailable.
Boston also ruled Derrick White out for Sunday’s game due to a sprained left hand. White has appeared on the Celtics’ last three injury reports with a hand ailment, but this is the first game he won’t play because of it. Maybe Mazzulla gives White an extra day off, as does Porzingis, especially because they’ll be facing the worst team in the NBA on Sunday.
With White out for the first time in two months, expect Jrue Holiday or Payton Pritchard to step in and take up his minutes.
Jaylen Brown (sprained right ankle) and Jayson Tatum (impinged right ankle) are also on the Celtics injury report. Both are questionable to play against Washington.
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