The Boston Celtics and New York Knicks enter Thursday night’s clash at Madison Square Garden with multiple players listed as questionable.
Boston could be without Jaylen Brown, who is managing left Achilles tendinitis, while Sam Hauser, Neemias Queta, and Derrick White are also listed as questionable with various lower-body injuries.
On the Knicks’ side, guard Tyler Kolek is questionable with a right oblique strain, raising concerns about backcourt depth.
Both teams are coming off wins, with Boston defeating Charlotte 113-102 and Toronto 115-101, and New York posting a 108-105 road victory over Atlanta and a 136-96 home win against Chicago.
Jaylen Brown leads the Celtics with 28.8 points per game, complemented by Derrick White’s 16.7 points and 5.4 assists per contest. Jayson Tatum is averaging 21.6 points despite limited games this season. Boston’s frontcourt depth includes Neemias Queta at 10.3 points and 8.3 rebounds per game, with Sam Hauser contributing 9.1 points.
For the Knicks, Jalen Brunson averages 26.0 points and 6.8 assists, while Karl-Anthony Towns provides 20.1 points and 11.9 rebounds per game. OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges support the offense with 17.0 and 14.7 points respectively, and Josh Hart adds 11.9 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. The Knicks’ depth at center is supplemented by Mitchell Robinson, who averages 8.8 rebounds on 19.6 minutes per game.
This matchup carries playoff implications, with Boston holding a 54-25 record and second place in the Eastern Conference. New York is 51-28 and sits third, having won three of their last four games. Earlier meetings this season favored the Knicks 2-1, including an 111-89 win on February 8 in Boston.
Thursday’s game tips off at 7:30 PM ET, with both squads expected to announce final decisions on questionable players closer to game time.
