The Boston Celtics will face the Milwaukee Bucks tonight and fans are surely in for a treat. Two of the biggest Eastern powerhouses will fight it out. The Celtics hold the top spot in the conference right now, with 11 wins and 3 losses. The Bucks, on the other hand, are just one win behind.
The Celtics are coming off a surprising loss against the Charlotte Hornets. Considering their star-studded roster, the Boston-based franchise should have closed out the game. However, LaMelo Ball had one hell of a night, and even Jayson Tatum couldn’t bail the Celtics out.
The Bucks, however, are on a 4-game winning streak in the regular season. They have a good chance to make it five tonight, especially considering the one name included on their injury report.
Jayson Tatum is questionable for the Boston Celtics vs Milwaukee Bucks game tonight
The Celtics had a rather clean injury report until very recently. Reports have emerged mentioning that the 25-year-old is questionable for the game tonight with an unnamed illness.
🚨 Jayson Tatum (non-COVID illness) is QUESTIONABLE for tonight’s Celtics-Bucks matchup, the team announced. pic.twitter.com/GxeH6G9jTP
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) November 22, 2023
If Tatum does not feature against the Bucks, that will undoubtedly be a huge blow for the Celtics. The guard has played in every one of the Celtics’ 14 games this season and has averaged 28.2 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 4.1 assists. It will be up to Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porziņģis to lead the Celtics to victory if Tatum’s absence is confirmed.
Boston Celtics injury report
- Jayson Tatum (out)
Boston Celtics expected roster
- Jaylen Brown
- Kristaps Porziņģis
- Sam Hauser
- Jrue Holiday
- Payton Pritchard
Milwaukee Bucks injury report
- Damian Lillard (probable)
- Chris Livingston (out)
- MarJon Beauchamp (out)
- Jae Crowder (out)
Milwaukee Bucks expected roster
- Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Damian Lillard
- Khris Middleton
- Malik Beasley
- Brook Lopez
Fortunately for the Celtics, there are quite a few stars on the Bucks’ injury report. Damian Lillard is probable with an oblique injury. Chris Livingston, MarJon Beauchamp, and Jae Crowder will be on the sidelines as well.
Can the Celtics survive with Jayson Tatum against the Bucks?
Jaylen Brown has been under heavy scrutiny and almost constantly as well. The main reason for that would be the point guard’s historic $300 million contract that he signed in the summer. It’s quite obvious that the world will be watching Brown’s every move and allow little to no room for mistakes.
The last time the Celtics hosted the Bucks at TD Garden was on December 25, 2022. The home team closed out a huge 118-139 win, thanks to a sensational 41-point game from Tatum. If that wasn’t impressive enough, he also put up 7 rebounds and 5 assists that night. Jaylen Brown also made an impressive contribution with 29 points.
The interesting fact to note is that the Bucks player to score 23 points that game was Jrue Holiday. The Bucks traded him to the Celtics and acquired Damian Lillard in a three-team trade. Although Holiday now calls Boston home, Dame’s arrival could tip the scale in the Bucks’ favor. The Bucks seem to have good momentum and look like they have figured out the Giannis & Dame combo.