The Wizards almost pulled off an upset at TD Garden, where the Celtics have only lost three times this season, in their previous meeting between the two teams.
The squad at the other end of the spectrum takes on the Boston Celtics, who are now leading the NBA at 52-14, on Sunday night in the nation’s capital. In the league standings, the Washington Wizards are last with an 11-56 record.
But just before the All-Star break, these two faced off at TD Garden, and the visitors gave the hosts all they had. Washington, who had an average of 114.5 points going into the game, lost 133-129, but they were within two possessions of pulling off a major upset.
Maybe that night the Celtics were thinking too much about their impending vacation. Their injury report for the rematch on Sunday might have a similar impact.
Kristaps Porzingis was sidelined by Boston for the fifth straight game as a result of a right hamstring strain. Al Horford won’t be available on Monday because this is the first half of a back-to-back; possibly the seven-foot-three center will be back when the C’s play the Detroit Pistons on their court. If not, he might be added back into the starting lineup for the Milwaukee Bucks game on Wednesday.
Maybe that night the Celtics were thinking too much about their impending vacation. Their injury report for the rematch on Sunday might have a similar impact.
Kristaps Porzingis was sidelined by Boston for the fifth straight game as a result of a right hamstring strain. Al Horford won’t be available on Monday because this is the first half of a back-to-back; possibly the seven-foot-three center will be back when the C’s play the Detroit Pistons on their court. If not, he might be added back into the starting lineup for the Milwaukee Bucks game on Wednesday.
Derrick White will not play in Sunday’s game due to a sprain to his left hand. Jaylen Brown has sprained his right ankle and will also not be playing.
However, Jayson Tatum, a five-time All-Star, is accessible. Due to a right ankle impingement, the Celtics originally categorized him as questionable for their game against the Wizards.
