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The Boston Celtics will probably be significantly short-handed towards the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday evening, with stars Jaylen Brown (non-COVID sickness) and Kristaps Porziņģis (proper knee contusion) every ruled out.
Per ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, Porziņģis had a “seen bruise on his proper knee” and informed reporters he suffered the damage after colliding with New York Knicks’ huge man Julius Randle throughout Monday evening’s 114-98 win.
Brown, 27, is averaging 22.9 factors, 5.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists and a steal per sport for the Celtics, capturing 45.9 % from the sphere and 36.4 % from three. He is the group’s second-leading scorer behind Jayson Tatum (28.4 PPG).
Porziņģis, 28, has tailored properly to his new digs, averaging 19.7 factors, 6.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.3 blocks per sport, capturing 56.5 % from the sphere and 40.8 % from past the arc.
He told reporters that his damage was “nothing too severe however it is a bit stiff.”
“That is one other factor, medical workers, they wish to be good about these items,” he added. We have now to play the lengthy sport and know to not drive one thing now, that is not possibly as obligatory. It is most vital that in the direction of the top of the season, that is after we should be on and wholesome and that is what they’re ensuring of. So I am simply, you already know, following the orders.”
The brand new-look Celtics have been rolling, beginning 8-2 after the offseason acquisitions of Porziņģis and Jrue Vacation. There are severe depth considerations after the core group of Tatum, Brown, Porziņģis, Vacation, Derrick White and Al Horford, however it hasn’t been a significant factor up to now.
Wednesday’s matchup with the Sixers (9-2) pits the 2 prime groups within the Jap Convention to date towards each other, and Boston’s depth will probably be significantly examined with out Brown and Porziņģis. The Celtics eradicated Philly within the second spherical of final 12 months’s playoffs, however each groups look dramatically completely different this season, with the Sixers buying and selling James Harden to the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Sixers will probably be short-handed themselves, with Kelly Oubre and Nic Batum out for the Sixers. Tobias Harris will play, whereas famous person heart Joel Embiid is questionable.
