The Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards released their injury reports ahead of their matchup at Capital One Arena, where both teams enter with different levels of health and momentum.
Boston arrives at 12-9 and on a two-game winning streak, but the group remains short-handed on the wing.
Jaylen Brown is listed as doubtful due to a non-Covid illness, leaving the Celtics uncertain about the status of their leading scorer.
Brown averages 29.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.8 assists while shooting .499 from the field through 21 games, giving Boston a major offensive lift whenever he’s available.
Jayson Tatum remains out as he continues his recovery from right Achilles repair, extending an absence that has already tested Boston’s rotation depth.
With Tatum sidelined, Derrick White’s 16.3 points and 5.1 assists per game, along with Payton Pritchard’s 17.1 points on .452 shooting, have taken on added importance for the Celtics’ offense.
Boston enters this matchup after home wins over New York and Cleveland, where the club leaned on strong guard play and late-game shot creation.
Washington, meanwhile, sits at 3-17 and has ruled out five players, further complicating its rotation.
Sharife Cooper (right calf strain), Bilal Coulibaly (right oblique strain), Tre Johnson (left hip flexor strain), Corey Kispert (right thumb fracture), and Alex Sarr (right adductor strain) are all unavailable.
Sarr has been one of Washington’s most productive pieces, averaging 19.1 points and 8.6 rebounds in 29.7 minutes before the injury.
Kyshawn George, who averages 15.2 points and 6.1 rebounds, enters as the Wizards’ most reliable wing option with multiple starters sidelined.
Washington dropped its most recent contest to Philadelphia after giving up 121 points, one night after picking up a narrow win against Milwaukee.
The Wizards’ perimeter rotation will again lean heavily on CJ McCollum, who is averaging 18.0 points on 2.8 made threes per game, and rookie Bub Carrington’s playmaking.
The matchup marks the second meeting between the teams this season, with Boston winning the first 136-107.
Frontcourt depth could play a role again, with the Celtics relying on Neemias Queta’s efficiency inside, where he shoots .656 from the field and averages 8.4 rebounds.
Washington’s injuries leave Tristan Vukcevic and Marvin Bagley III carrying additional minutes against a Boston team that has dominated the paint in recent outings.
Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET in Washington, D.C.
