After dropping two straight games for only the second time this season, the Celtics will look to rebound when they meet the Suns in Phoenix on Saturday.
The Boston Celtics suffered their second consecutive loss of the season on Thursday night at Ball Arena. Despite this, they remain at the top of the league standings with a 4.5-game lead. On Saturday, they will face the Phoenix Suns, who have won two straight games and are 37-26, ranking sixth in the Western Conference.
However, the hosts will have to overcome Devin Booker’s absence, who is battling with a sprained right ankle and may be unable to play when these two teams meet at TD Garden on March 14.
Jaylen Brown, who played through a sacroiliac strain on Thursday and had 41 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, and two steals in Boston’s 115-109 loss to the Nuggets, is questionable for Saturday’s game.
The Mayo Clinic describes a sacroiliac strain as follows:
“A painful condition involving one or both sacroiliac joints. These joints are located where the lower spine and pelvis connect. Sacroiliitis can produce discomfort and stiffness in the buttocks or lower back, which may radiate down one or both legs.
Jayson Tatum is also listed on the Celtics’ injury report. The five-time All-Star ended with 15 points (5/13 shooting), eight assists, four rebounds, and two steals against the reigning champions.
However, he also committed five turnovers, including an erroneous pass on a possible alley-oop to Brown with the C’s trailing two in the last minute before missing an open corner three for the lead on the same play.
He also failed to account for Aaron Gordon twice in crunch time, resulting in a put-back dunk and an alley-oop from Nikola Jokic that helped Denver secure the victory.
Tatum, undoubtedly eager to shake off the sour taste of a night in which his MVP case was slammed shut, is expected to play on Saturday due to a right ankle discomfort.
Neemias Queta is also listed as probable in Boston. The 24-year-old Portuguese player has been out of action since the All-Star break due to a hyperextended right knee.
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