The Boston Celtics will be back in action on Friday night against the Indiana Pacers, hoping to get back on track after two straight losses. After an ugly loss to the Orlando Magic on Monday, they fell to the Philadelphia 76ers on Christmas Day. Now, the Pacers sit in front of them, though they have already lost to them this year.
Indiana has had a very up-and-down season and currently sits firmly in the Play-In picture. Tyrese Haliburton’s ice-cold start to the season has since warmed up a bit, and Pascal Siakam has been great this year. They’ll be looking to take down the Celtics for the second time.
Here are the injury reports for the Celtics’ game against the Pacers on Friday, December 27.
Celtics injury report vs. Pacers on Friday, December 27
- Jrue Holiday OUT (right shoulder impingement)
- Kristaps Porzingis OUT (left ankle sprain)
Pacers injury report vs. Celtics on Friday, December 27
- Andrew Nembhard OUT (left knee injury management)
- Obi Toppin QUESTIONABLE (ankle)
- Aaron Nesmith OUT (ankle)
- Isaiah Jackson OUT (Achilles)
- James Wiseman OUT (Achilles)
After rolling his ankle on Christmas against the 76ers, Kristaps Porzingis is back on the injury report with a left ankle sprain. He was ruled out at halftime against Philadelphia, marking the third time since returning from injury that he’s had to leave a game mid-way through.
Porzingis had surgery in the offseason to repair a rare foot injury he sustained in the NBA Finals. Since returning, he’s gotten injured multiple times, all of which have been lower-body issues. He will be out against the Pacers.
Jrue Holiday is still on the injury report after missing Boston’s game on Christmas. He’s dealing with some shoulder pain, which is listed on the report as a right shoulder impingement. Holiday will not play against Indiana.
The Pacers have a fairly lengthy injury report heading into Friday night.
Obi Toppin was initially questionable to play due to an ankle issue but is now officially out. Andrew Nembhard is also out, as he's still dealing with the fallout of his past knee injury. Former Celtics wing Aaron Nesmith is also out with an ankle injury.
Indiana’s big man rotation has taken a massive hit this year. Isaiah Jackson and James Wiseman are both out for the season after tearing their Achilles.
As a result, the Pacers made a trade with the Miami Heat, landing Thomas Bryant. He has been giving them rotation minutes behind Myles Turner at the center position.
Projected starting lineups for Celtics vs. Pacers
This is likely what the Celtics will roll with (depending on injuries):
- Derrick White
- Jaylen Brown
- Jayson Tatum
- Sam Hauser
- Al Horford
Here is what the Pacers’ first five could look like:
- Tyrese Haliburton
- Andrew Nembhard
- Bennedict Mathurin
- Pascal Siakam
- Myles Turner