Friday night, the Boston Celtics return from a brief Christmas break. They kick off a five-game road trip with a rematch against the Indiana Pacers. The visitors beat them 103-95 at TD Garden on Monday.
Missing from that first go-around was Jordan Walsh. The third-year wing is dealing with a non-COVID illness. Fortunately for Boston, it appears that he is trending towards being back in the lineup Friday night in Indiana.
The Celtics list Walsh as probable to play against the Pacers in their latest injury report. The former Arkansas Razorback is in the midst of a breakout season. Walsh is averaging 7.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.2 steals. He is also converting on 44.4 percent of the 1.9 threes he's hoisting.
The 21-year-old wing started 16 straight games before missing Monday's victory. During that stretch, he generated 8.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and nearly 1.0 blocks per contest.
Making those numbers even more impressive is that they include his shortened appearance against the Toronto Raptors. Walsh logged just 12:44 in that 112-96 win north of the border. He did not play in the second half due to the illness that kept him out of Monday's game vs. Indiana.
Jordan Walsh is back against the Pacers on Friday
Fortunately, it appears that Walsh will be in the lineup Friday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. However, Boston will be without a member of its "Stay Ready Group," also known as its extended rotation.
Chris Boucher is unavailable for the Celtics' first game back from their Christmas break. They list him out due to personal reasons.
It has been a frustrating season for the ninth-year forward. The two-time NBA champion arrived in Boston in hope of consistent minutes. Instead, he has found himself outside of the rotation.
Boucher is averaging 2.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, and nearly 1.0 blocks. However, he has appeared in only eight games, logging 11.4 minutes per matchup. He has not played since a Nov. 23 victory over the Orlando Magic.
The only other player on the Celtics' injury report for their game against the Pacers is Jayson Tatum. As he rehabs from a torn Achilles tendon, Brad Stevens recently discussed the possibility of the six-time All-Star rejoining the lineup this season.
"The reality is he's not going to be back until he's 110 percent healthy, and he feels good about it, and that's a big part of it, right?" said Stevens. "Obviously, he's itching to play. Obviously, he hates watching, but he's also -- I don't want to speak for him, but [he's] very cognizant of the need to meet every threshold and why there are those things that are put in place. We've had a lot of great talks about it."
While there is a need to proceed with caution, if Tatum gets medically cleared and checks all the boxes necessary, the door is open for him to return this season.