The Phoenix Suns and Boston Celtics enter Monday night’s matchup at TD Garden dealing with limited injury lists, though both teams will be without key rotation pieces.
Phoenix ruled out Dillon Brooks because of a left hand fracture. The veteran forward has started all 50 games he has played this season and averages 20.9 points while shooting 44.0% from the field and 34.3% from three-point range.
Brooks’ absence removes a high-usage perimeter option from the Suns’ lineup. His scoring production ranks second on the team behind Devin Booker, who leads Phoenix with 25.4 points and 6.0 assists per game.
Booker remains the focal point of the Suns’ offense and will likely shoulder a larger scoring load against Boston. The All-Star guard is shooting 45.2% from the field while playing more than 33 minutes per game.
Phoenix will also be without center Mark Williams, who is out with a stress reaction in the third metatarsal of his left foot. Williams has averaged 11.6 points and 8.1 rebounds in 56 games while shooting 63.3% from the field.
The Suns enter the game with a 39-28 record, placing them seventh in the Western Conference standings. They are currently in the play-in range but remain within striking distance of the top six.
Phoenix split its last two games on the road. The Suns defeated the Indiana Pacers 123-108 on March 12 before falling to the Toronto Raptors 122-115 two nights later.
Boston, meanwhile, has listed Nikola Vucevic as out due to a fracture in his right ring finger. The veteran center has appeared in 12 games this season for the Celtics and averages 10.4 points and 7.2 rebounds while shooting 44.5%.
Vucevic’s absence keeps Neemias Queta in line for extended minutes at center. Queta has started 62 games and averages 10.0 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.3 blocks while shooting 63.9% from the field.
The Celtics’ offense continues to run through Jaylen Brown, who leads the team with 28.2 points per game. Brown also contributes 7.1 rebounds and 5.1 assists while shooting 47.8% from the field.
Boston’s backcourt has also produced consistently. Derrick White averages 17.4 points and 5.7 assists, while Payton Pritchard adds 16.6 points and 5.3 assists per game.
The Celtics hold a 44-23 record and sit second in the Eastern Conference standings, trailing only the Detroit Pistons.
Boston won the teams’ only meeting this season, defeating Phoenix 97-81 on Feb. 24.
The Celtics enter Monday’s game after a 111-100 win over the Washington Wizards on March 14, while the Suns will look to bounce back after their loss in Toronto.
Monday’s game will be played at TD Garden in Boston.
