The Boston Celtics picked up a win over the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night after losing to the same squad on Thursday. Now, they’ll head down south for a tilt against the Orlando Magic, who have been dealing with a ton of injury issues this season but are still toward the top of the Eastern Conference.
Despite their issues with injuries, the Magic have still been one of the best teams in the East. They’ve been without their top two players for a long stretch, yet they’ve still managed to stay afloat. However, going up against the reigning champions could prove to be a very tall task.
Here are the injury reports for the Celtics’ game against the Magic on Monday, December 23.
Celtics injury report vs. Magic on Monday, December 23
- Jayson Tatum QUESTIONABLE (illness)
- Sam Hauser AVAILABLE (low back spasms)
- Baylor Scheierman AVAILABLE (recalled from Maine)
Magic injury report vs. Celtics on Monday, December 23
- Paolo Banchero OUT (oblique)
- Franz Wagner OUT (oblique)
- Mo Wagner OUT (ACL)
- Gary Harris OUT (hamstring)
- Jalen Suggs AVAILABLE (ankle)
Just like the other night, Sam Hauser was the only player listed on the Celtics’ injury report heading into their Monday night contest against the Magic.
He’s been dealing with back problems for most of the season, and they have popped up again. Hauser didn’t play in either of the two games against Chicago but will play against Orlando.
Baylor Scheierman is not dealing with an injury, but per PR, he has been recalled from Maine ahead of the game in Orlando.
Jayson Tatum was a very late addition to the injury report, as just a few minutes before tip-off, he was listed as questionable to play due to an illness.
For the Magic, the most significant injuries are to Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Both guys were having All-Star seasons before they went down with torn obliques (on the same side of their bodies).
Just the other day, Mo Wagner also went down with an injury, and his will be season-ending, as he tore his ACL.
Jalen Suggs, who has been carrying a heavy load since Banchero and Wagner have been out, was questionable to play against the Celtics. He’s dealing with an ankle issue but will start vs. Boston.
On top of that, Gary Harris was also questionable due to a hamstring ailment, and he will not play. Mac McClung’s status is currently unknown, too, as he just signed a two-way contract with Orlando.
Projected starting lineups for Celtics vs. Magic
This is likely what the Celtics will roll with:
- Derrick White
- Jrue Holiday
- Jaylen Brown
- Jayson Tatum
- Kristaps Porzingis
Here is what the Bulls’ first five could look like:
- Anthony Black
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
- Tristan Da Silva
- Wendell Carter Jr.
- Goga Bitadze