The Celtics’ latest injury report provides a positive update on how Kristaps Porzingis is progressing. It also sparks the question of whether Boston will turn to an option it prefers to keep concealed before the playoffs.
On Saturday night at TD Garden, the Boston Celtics suffered their second loss on their parquet this season, a 115-96 thrashing at the hands of the Los Angeles Clippers.
Monday, they’ll look to bounce back against the New Orleans Pelicans. Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and Co. are 26-20 and seventh in the Western Conference.
Despite their most recent defeat, Boston, 35-11, remains atop the NBA standings.
As the Celtics aim to return to the win column, their top three centers are on their injury report.
Kristaps Porzingis, who suffered a left ankle sprain during Thursday’s 143-110 victory vs. the Miami Heat, is questionable for the contest. While a return to play this early would feel rushed, his status speaks positively to how he’s progressing.
It appears Al Horford, who doesn’t play in both halves of a back-to-back, will miss Monday’s matchup and return on Tuesday when Boston hosts the Indiana Pacers.
Luke Kornet, who exited Saturday’s loss to Los Angeles due to left hamstring tightness, is considered doubtful to suit up against New Orleans.
The situation resembles when the Celtics were without all three in the first half of their two-tilt mini-series vs. the Orlando Magic. That led to deploying Jayson Tatum at center at times, helping the hosts run their slower-footed opposition off the floor in a convincing 128-111 win.
As much as Boston wants to limit potential playoff opponents’ ability to study how it looks when the C’s turn to that, and they did so in Monday’s 119-110 victory over the Dallas Mavericks, perhaps being shorthanded at the pivot will result in head coach Joe Mazzulla utilizing it against the Pelicans.
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