For the first time in what feels like a long time, there are actually health and durability concerns around some of the Celtics’ players. Both of the main offseason additions, Mitchell Robinson and Paul George, have had a hard time staying on the floor in recent years for a variety of reasons. And, of course, Jayson Tatum is still just over 18 months removed from tearing his Achilles.
There was plenty of speculation over the summer about how players would be managed and who would take games off, but for the part of the players, they all preached positivity and optimism about playing. A lot. Both Tatum and Robinson specifically said they expected to play in back-to-backs this season, and PG said he’s ready to put durability concerns to rest, feeling as good as he has in years.
Well, that talk is all great, but now it’s time to see what the Celtics’ medical staff and front office think about all that. For the first time this season, the Celtics face a back-to-back, facing the Bulls at home on Monday night and the Nets at home on Tuesday night.
Celtics face first b2b with Bulls and Nets on Monday and Tuesday
On paper, those are obviously both winnable games, but Boston can’t afford to take anyone lightly, especially this early in the season when every team still has hope. Still, if the plan is to strategically rest players, you’d think this would be the first opportunity to see it.
So, I’m very curious to see exactly how the lineups and rotations are deployed, and to see if any of Tatum, George, or Robinson sits out one of these games. For now, everyone is fully healthy and seems fresh, but we’re only two games into an 82-game season. The goal is to have everybody clicking by late April, not November.
Celtics need to have bigger picture in mind
These first two games have been grueling, physical affairs against two contenders in the Pistons and Knicks. Now, things open up a little bit, and perhaps Brad Stevens, Joe Mazzulla, and the powers that be decide it might be nice to take some strategic rest for guys who are going to do a lot of heavy lifting over the next few months.
Furthermore, it could be a good chance to dig a little deeper into the bench and get some more minutes for guys who have been chomping at the bit on the outskirts of the rotation. We’ve seen limited action from guys like Luka Garza, Baylor Scheierman, Hugo Gonzalez, and Ron Harper Jr., all of whom we know can make a major impact.
But on nights when everyone is healthy and available, it’s just going to be extremely difficult to play everyone on the roster. The Celtics know this. And they know that they have to focus on the light at the end of the tunnel, not just winning every single regular season game. There will be a lot more back-to-backs to come, so don’t think whatever they do here will become the norm going forward, but it will still be fascinating to watch how they approach this one.
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