BOSTON — The Celtics could be without most of their rotation when they face the Orlando Magic on Sunday.
Jayson Tatum (right Achilles repair management), Jaylen Brown (left Achilles tendonitis), Derrick White (right knee contusion), and Neemias Queta (right toe sprain) are all out. Sam Hauser (low back spasm), Payton Pritchard (left foot plantar fasciitis), and Nikola Vučević (right ring finger fracture management) are all doubtful.
The lengthy injury report comes as no surprise, because the Celtics have already locked up the No. 2 seed with one game left to play in the regular season. None of the injuries appears to be cause for concern, and everyone except for Tatum laced up on Friday night, when the Celtics blew out the New Orleans Pelicans and solidified their standings in the Eastern Conference.
The Orlando Magic are still vying for playoff positioning
The Orlando Magic, meanwhile, will be at mostly full strength and are still playing for playoff positioning. Only Jonathan Isaac (left knee sprain) and Jett Howard (left ankle sprain) are questionable.
The Magic currently have the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference, but are tied with the Toronto Raptors for a 45-26 record. The Raptors are facing the Brooklyn Nets in their last regular-season game, and could lock up that sixth seed with a victory.
The Celtics and Magic could face off in the first round of the playoffs; the Celtics will face the winner of the Play-In game between the No. 7 and No. 8 seeds. (The Philadelphia 76ers currently have the 8th seed). The two teams faced off in the first round of the playoffs last year, with the Celtics winning the best-of-seven series in five games.
The Celtics and Magic have faced off three times this season — all in November — with Boston winning two of the three matchups.
Celtics-Magic will tip off at 6pm ET at TD Garden.
Read the full article here