Three Key Players Banned for Second Night of Back-to-Back v

On By Littum

The Boston Celtics are set to play their second game on the second night of a back-to-back; however, they will be without three key members.

The Celtics will be without center Al Horford, center Kristaps Porziņģis and guard Jaden Springer.

The Celtics reported via Twitter/X.

The Celtics dropped their game against the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night and look to bounce back without Horford in the lineup on Wednesday.

Although Horford is listed as having a left big toe sprain, it has more to do with getting him some rest. This move was expected when he was ruled available for last night’s game against the Hawks.

With Horford on the sidelines, it’s likely that Neemias Queta will pick up the bulk of the center minutes, with Luke Kornet also stepping up.

On Tuesday against the Hawks, he recorded eight points on 3-for-5 shooting from the field, four rebounds, two assists and one turnover in 26 minutes of action.

The Celtics suffered their third loss of the season and now have a 9-3 record, good for second in the Eastern Conference.

Springer will miss his third straight contest Wednesday after being downgraded from questionable to out because of tendinopathy in his left knee. Saturday’s matchup with the Toronto Raptors is his next chance to suit up.

Their star center, Kristaps Porziņģis, is still ruled out and will be until at least next month as he rehabs from left posterior tibial tendon surgery.

The good news about the injury report is that it does not include their star forward, Jayson Tatum. Tatum was on the injury report for Tuesday’s game, but thankfully he played.

He was on the injury report because of a tweaked ankle he suffered in Sunday’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks. Tatum is off the roster and will be ready for Wednesday’s back-to-back.

In Tuesday’s loss, he recorded 20 points on 5-for-16 shooting from the field, six rebounds, eight assists, one steal and two blocks in 37 minutes of action.

Tatum has been everything for the Celtics through their first 12 games. He leads the team in points with 29.7, rebounds with 7.5, assists with 5.2 and steals with 1.6.

The Celtics will look to go to double-digit wins with 10 on Wednesday night, and they have a solid chance to do so.

They make the short trip to Brooklyn and are favorites in that game with a -8.5 spread.

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