Celtics: Boston gets mixed bag of Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis

Celtics: Boston gets mixed bag of Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis injury updates

night, the Boston Celtics won’t be playing at their best. Because of their respective

left ankle sprains—Kristaps Porzingis and Jayson Tatum—their staring lineup has suffered a setback. According to Jay King of the

Athletic, Porzingis has been declared out and Tatum is perhaps questionable to play.

During the Celtics’ most recent outing against the Sacramento Kings, Porzingis landed on Domantas Sabonis’

foot while taking a jump shot, causing the sprain. While he was still able to finish the game,

the swelling might have gotten worse afterward. No official report has been out yet on whether Porzingis will

return for Boston’s Christmas Day matchup against rivals Los Angeles Lakers.

Tatum, however, suffered a rolled ankle against the Golden State Warriors two games earlier. Tatum forced himself to play the

remainder of the game despite having a difficult shooting night in the end by stepping on Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski’s

sneaker during the first quarter.

The game on Saturday is also ruled out for big man Luke Kornet, while sharpshooter Sam Hauser is doubtful.

The green and white team will need to rely more heavily on veteran Al Horford to lead the offense now that Porzingis is out. This

season, Horford has averaged 7.7 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. It’s also probable that center Neemias Queta, who has been

getting minutes lately, will see increased playing time under head coach Joe Mazzulla.

If Jayson Tatum is somehow ruled out, then once again every player on the floor has to step up.

Wednesday night’s game against the Kings, however, showed that the Celtics are capable of doing so.

Six Boston players finished with double-digit points, five of whom had no less than 20 points. Whatever the final lineup may be for

Saturday, the Celtics are still expected to put up a fight.