The Boston Celtics are at present in place within the NBA. Though they at present sit in second place within the Jap Convention with a 23-8 file, they’re nonetheless thought-about certainly one of, if not the perfect groups within the league.
Now, the reigning NBA champions are prepared for one more showdown in opposition to the Indiana Pacers. Not solely did the Celtics handily beat the Pacers within the Jap Convention Finals final season, however additionally they dominated them on Friday 142-105.
For sure, Celtics followers aren’t fearful forward of at the moment’s recreation. Nevertheless, Boston could possibly be with out a key starter for this rematch.
In response to the NBA’s official damage report, level guard Jrue Vacation was questionable heading into Sunday’s recreation in opposition to the Pacers attributable to a proper shoulder impingement. However the veteran guard will not be match for Boston.
Harm report replace:
Jrue Vacation (proper shoulder impingement) – OUT https://t.co/Qb7W8cO84b
– Boston Celtics (@celtics) December 29, 2024
In response to the Cleveland Clinic, shoulder impingement (often known as rotator cuff tendonitis) “happens when the bones in your shoulder rub in opposition to or pinch the rotator cuff.”
With Vacation not taking part in, this can be a enormous loss for the Celtics. As a frontrunner, Vacation is the figuring out think about how the crew operates on offense and protection. This season, he averaged 12.2 factors, 4.3 complete rebounds, 3.7 assists and 0.9 steals per recreation over 26 video games.
Along with Vacation not taking part in, beginning ahead/middle Kristaps Porzingis is out for at the moment’s recreation in opposition to the Pacers with a sprained left ankle.
Though he has solely performed in 11 video games this season, Porzingis has made his presence identified in all of them, averaging 18.3 factors, 6.4 complete rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1, 5 blocks and 0.7 steals per recreation.
Even when Porzingis is not in a position to play in opposition to the Pacers, the Celtics nonetheless do not have a lot to fret about. Sure, these are two key starters, however Boston nonetheless has level guard Payton Pritchard, small ahead Jaylen Brown and energy ahead Jayson Tatum, who’s having an MVP-caliber season.
Along with Porzingis, three different gamers have been formally declared out of this extremely anticipated match.
Ahead Anton Watson will miss the sport with a strained left abductor. Moreover, JD Davison and Baylor Scheierman are out of the NBA G League.
Since Porzingis is not taking part in in opposition to the Pacers, that would probably make issues harder for the Celtics. Nevertheless, Boston has greater than sufficient expertise to nonetheless come out on high.
Extra Celtics: Boston’s blockbuster commerce proposal sees Kristaps Porzingis traded for All-Star
