The Boston Celtics won their second game in a row on Thursday night, defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves on their first game of a tough Western Conference road trip. They squeaked out a 118-115 victory over the Wolves, largely thanks to the high-level performances of Jayson Tatum and Derrick White.
Meanwhile, the Houston Rockets are coming off a win over the Luka Doncic-less Dallas Mavericks. Before that, however, they had lost two games in a row to the Miami Heat and Timberwolves. They’ve been having a very impressive season and currently sit third in the Western Conference with a 22-11 record.
Here are the injury reports for the Celtics’ game against the Rockets on Friday, January 3.
Celtics injury report vs. Rockets on Friday, January 3
- Jaylen Brown QUESTIONABLE (right shoulder sprain)
- Kristaps Porzingis QUESTIONABLE (left ankle sprain)
- Al Horford OUT (rest)
Rockets injury report vs. Celtics Friday, January 3
- Jock Landale QUESTIONABLE (knee)
- Tari Eason DOUBTFUL (leg)
- Amen Thompson OUT (suspension)
For the second game in a row, Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis are questionable to play. Neither ended up playing against the Timberwolves, and Porzingis has not appeared in a game since Christmas against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Brown is dealing with a right shoulder sprain. He was seen icing his shoulder at the end of the Celtics’ win over the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday.
As for Porzingis, he sprained his ankle against the 76ers and has been out ever since. However, Joe Mazzulla has consistently said that he’s been making solid progress in his recovery efforts.
Al Horford is out on Friday against the Rockets, as it’s the second night of a back-to-back. He’s been resting one game of back-to-backs since re-joining the Celtics in 2021.
For Houston, Jock Landale is questionable to play. The Australian big man is dealing with a knee sprain at the moment. On top of that, Tari Eason is doubtful to play with a lower leg injury.
Amen Thompson will not play on Friday, either, as he will be serving the second game of a two-game suspension for his role in the altercation between himself and Tyler Herro in Houston’s loss to the Miami Heat.
Projected starting lineups for Celtics vs. Rockets
This is likely what the Celtics will roll with (depending on injuries):
- Derrick White
- Jrue Holiday
- Jayson Tatum
- Sam Hauser
- Luke Kornet
Here is what the Rockets’ first five could look like:
- Fred VanVleet
- Jalen Green
- Dillon Brooks
- Jabari Smith Jr.
- Alperen Sengun