A trio of Celtics centers are on the injury report for Monday’s Pelicans game.
The Celtics’ most recent injury report delivers a favorable update on Kristaps Porzingis’ rehabilitation. It also raises the question of whether Boston will resort to a strategy it prefers to keep hidden before the playoffs.
The Boston Celtics suffered their second loss of the season on Saturday night at TD Garden, falling 115-96 to the Los Angeles Clippers.
They will aim to rebound against the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday. Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and company are 26-20 and are eighth in the Western Conference.
Despite their most recent loss, Boston (35-11) remains atop the NBA standings.
The Celtics’ top three centers are out with injuries as they look to return to winning ways.
Kristaps Porzingis, who sprained his left ankle during Thursday’s 143-110 victory against the Miami Heat, is questionable for the game. While returning to play so soon might feel rushed, his current status indicates that he is making good progress.
Al Horford, who does not play both halves of a back-to-back, is expected to miss Monday’s game and return on Tuesday when the Boston Celtics host the Indiana Pacers.
Luke Kornet, who departed Saturday’s loss to Los Angeles due to left hamstring soreness, is uncertain to play against New Orleans.
The predicament is similar to when the Celtics were missing all three during the first half of their two-game mini-series against the Orlando Magic. As a result, Jayson Tatum was deployed at center at times, allowing the hosts to run their slower-footed opponents off the court in a comfortable 128-111 victory.
As much as Boston wants to limit potential playoff opponents’ ability to study how it looks when the Celtics use it, as they did in Monday’s 119-110 victory over the Dallas Mavericks, being shorthanded at the pivot may result in head coach Joe Mazzulla using it against the Pelicans.
