The Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers enter Sunday’s matchup with several injuries that could affect rotation decisions and interior matchups.
Boston visits Cleveland at 1:00 PM ET on March 8 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in a game that features two of the top four teams in the Eastern Conference standings.
The Celtics sit second in the East at 41-21, while the Cavaliers hold fourth place at 39-24. Boston has already taken the first two meetings this season, winning 125-105 on October 29 and 117-115 on November 30.
Cleveland’s injury report is longer, with center Jarrett Allen ruled out due to right knee tendonitis. The absence removes a key rim protector who averages 15.3 points and 8.5 rebounds while shooting 63.6 percent from the field.
Allen’s injury increases the defensive burden on Evan Mobley, who averages 17.6 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.8 blocks. Mobley may be asked to play extended minutes at center against Boston’s frontcourt.
The Cavaliers still expect their primary scorer to be available. Donovan Mitchell is listed as probable with a right groin strain entering the game.
Mitchell leads Cleveland with 28.5 points per game and also contributes 5.8 assists. His availability is critical for a Cavaliers offense that relies heavily on his scoring and pick-and-roll creation.
James Harden is listed as available despite a right thumb fracture. The 36-year-old averages 19.1 points and 7.9 assists across nine games with Cleveland this season.
Two Cavaliers rotation players are uncertain or sidelined. Jaylon Tyson is questionable with a neck strain, while guard Tyrese Proctor is out with a right quadricep strain.
Cleveland will also be without shooter Max Strus, who remains sidelined following surgery for a Jones fracture in his left foot.
For Boston, the injury list is shorter but still impacts depth in the frontcourt. Veteran center Nikola Vucevic is out with a fracture in his right ring finger.
Vucevic has appeared in 12 games this season, averaging 10.4 points and 7.2 rebounds in 21.7 minutes. His absence likely leads to increased minutes for starting center Neemias Queta, who averages 10.1 points and 8.4 rebounds while shooting 64.5 percent.
Boston lists wing Baylor Scheierman as available despite a left thumb fracture. Scheierman averages 4.6 points in 16.3 minutes and provides additional perimeter shooting.
Two-way guard John Tonje is out while on G League assignment.
The Celtics enter the game following a 120-100 win over the Dallas Mavericks on March 6, while Cleveland carries a two-game winning streak after victories against the Detroit Pistons and Brooklyn Nets.
