Kristaps Porzingis has been fighting through an injury lately and the Boston Celtics haven’t been taking it well lately. Despite the slight setback, the Celtics have managed to maintain their spot atop the Eastern Conference chart. Right now, they have the best record in the league with 12 wins and 4 losses. However, after their recent loss to the Orlando Magic, they were surpassed by the same team in the In-Season Tournament Group rankings.
TONIGHT ☘️ Celtics vs. @ATLHawks
📍 @tdgarden
⏰ 6:00 PM
📺 @NBCSBoston
🎙️ @rock929ROCKS
Small Business of the Game: https://t.co/q7FYb4Lv13#DifferentHere pic.twitter.com/HPejKqPxyw— Boston Celtics (@celtics) November 26, 2023
The Atlanta Hawks are set to take on the Celtics tonight. Atlanta needs to be more consistent to make it through to the playoffs. But for now, Trae Young and his squad still have a decent amount of time before the regular season ends. Right now, they rank 8th in the East with a record of 8-7. The Celtics will host the Hawks at the TD Garden.
Kristaps Porzingis will not be available to start for the Celtics vs. Hawks game
Unfortunately, Kristaps Porzingis has been playing through a calf injury over the last two games. The Celtics have decided to pull him out of the rotation and rest him. However, the MRIs have turned out positive and he will return soon. Jrue Holiday is listed as questionable against the Hawks due to an ankle injury. Holiday has been one of their top guns on defense averaging 0.6 steals and 1 block per game.
The Hawks don’t have any significant injuries on the roster for this game. However, there are a few injuries that may or may not affect their performance against the Celtics. After enduring a wrist injury on Saturday, Jalen Johnson walked out of the Washington Wizards after playing only eight minutes. He is likely to return against the Celtics but there is still doubt. Mouhamed Gueye (back) and Kobe Bufkin (thumb fracture) will remain out.
Hawks forward Jalen Johnson is expected to miss 4-to-6 weeks with left wrist injury, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Good news: Tests showed no fracture or need for surgery. Johnson is one of the NBA’s early Most Improved candidates, averaging 14.1 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 42.5% from 3. pic.twitter.com/8cyOjYJDpf
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 26, 2023
Boston Celtics Injury Report:
- Kristaps Porzingis (Out)
- Jrue Holiday (Questionable)
Boston Celtics Expected Lineup:
- Payton Pritchard
- Derrick White
- Jaylen Brown
- Jayson Tatum
- Al Horford
Atlanta Hawks Injury Report:
- Jalen Johnson (Day-to-Day)
- Mouhamed Gueye (Out)
- Kobe Bufkin (Out)
Atlanta Hawks Expected Report:
- Trae Young
- Dejounte Murray
- De’Andre Hunter
- Saddiq Bey
- Clint Capela
Will the Celtics succeed against the Hawks without Kristaps Porzingis?
Losing Kristaps Porzingis would mean that the Celtics will have a major lack of offense and defense. The big man has been averaging 18.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game. Boston will further suffer on defense without Holiday in the lineup as well. However, their replacements are highly skilled athletes on both ends of the floor. The Celtics may rely on their offense to defeat the Hawks.
The 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 player in the NBA averaging 25+ ppg, 10+ apg, & 1.5 spg ❄️ pic.twitter.com/ZAGuZgtbCR
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) November 25, 2023
The Hawks aren’t going to experience much damage without Jalen Johnson. Saddiq Bey is most likely going to be bumped into the starting lineup to fill up Jalen’s minutes. However, Atlanta has to focus on keeping Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown away from scoring. If they’re able to limit their productivity, this will reduce the offensive backlash and allow Trae Young to fire his cylinders. But the Celtics seem far more capable of winning.