Atlanta @ Boston preview
TD Garden
Last Meeting ( Apr 27, 2023 ) Boston 128, Atlanta 120
The Celtics lost more than a game when they dropped a 113-96 decision to the Orlando Magic on Friday. Boston lost center Kristaps Porzingis for an unspecified period of time as well.
The Celtics announced Saturday that Porzingis won't play in Sunday night's home game against Atlanta because of a calf strain. Porzingis left Friday's loss midway through the third quarter with what the Celtics described as "left calf tightness" and he did not return to the game.
Following Friday's game, Porzingis told The Boston Globe that he planned to get an MRI on Saturday and he didn't think the injury was serious. It's unclear when Porzingis will return to the court, but he posted the following on his Instagram account Saturday afternoon: "Good news this morning. Be back very soon."
The Celtics acquired Porzingis as part of a three-team trade in June. He's played in 15 of Boston's 16 games this season and is averaging 18.9 points and 6.7 rebounds per contest.
The Celtics also announced that Jrue Holiday is questionable for Sunday's game due to a right ankle sprain he suffered in Wednesday's victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. Holiday did not play in Friday's loss to the Magic due to the injury.
In addition, Derrick White sustained an arm contusion in the first quarter of Friday's contest, but played through the injury.
"Obviously we're a better team when everybody's healthy, but there are going to be nights throughout the course of the season when guys are in and out of the lineup," Boston's Jayson Tatum said. "Can't use that as an excuse. Still got to get the job done."
This will be the second stop on a five-game road trip for Atlanta, which has its own injury issue. Forward Jalen Johnson left Saturday night's 136-108 victory over Washington in the second quarter with an injury to his left wrist and didn't return to the game. The Athletic reported Sunday that Johnson will miss four to six weeks.
Trae Young had 26 points and 10 assists for the Hawks, who have scored 435 points in their past three games.
Atlanta received 20 points from D'Andre Hunter and 15 from Bogdan Bogdanovic. Clint Capela contributed 12 points and 11 rebounds, Dejounte Murray added 11 points and 10 assists, and Saddiq Bey finished with 13 points and nine rebounds.
"I think we're the deepest team in the league across the board," Bey said. "Everybody who comes in contributes. Everybody works hard every day, so we're confident in everyone."
Orlando outscored Boston 65-40 in the final two quarters Friday and took control of the game with a 17-0 run in the third quarter. The Celtics shot 24.1 percent from 3-point range (7 of 29) and were outrebounded 48-31.
"You're definitely frustrated when you're not making shots, but at the end of the day it goes back to two things: transition (defense) and the offensive rebounds," Boson coach Joe Mazzulla said. "There were two stretches where they go on that 17-0 run in the middle of the third and then they went on a run in the middle of the second. Outside of those two bad stretches we played real good basketball, but it's not enough against a team like this."
--Field Level Media