Wednesday night at TD Garden, the Boston Celtics suffered a 117-116 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on their home parquet. Two days after falling short on opening night, they'll travel to Madison Square Garden to face the New York Knicks.
Unfortunately for the visitors, they have already ruled out a rotation center. The Celtics' injury report a day in advance of Friday's clash lists Luka Garza as out for this showdown at the world's most famous arena.
Garza suffered a concussion during Boston's opening night loss to the Sixers. He registered a rebound and a rejection in six minutes of floor time.
The injury occurred when the four-year veteran pursued an offensive rebound. He collided with 76ers center Adem Bona. Taking a hit to the head, Garza fell to the floor. Not knowing the severity of the incident, his head coach, Joe Mazzulla, implored his new center to get back up. It's a reflection of the toughness he wants his team to play with.
The former Minnesota Timberwolves center rose to his feet and stayed in for a few more possessions before having to sub out. He is now in concussion protocol.
Garza and Jayson Tatum are the Celtics' only players on their injury report.
The Knicks will likely be shorthanded on Friday as well
New York is also unlikely to be at full strength on Friday night at Madison Square Garden.
Josh Hart is suffering from a lumbar injury. Mitchell Robinson has an ankle injury. In a recent appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, ESPN's Shams Charania said of their status, "Those two guys, I think there is a very real chance they miss real time to start the year."
Neither one played in the Knicks' 119-111 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on opening night at MSG. However, after uncertainty surrounding Karl-Anthony Towns's availability, the three-time All-NBA selection was in the starting lineup on Wednesday.
Towns is dealing with a quad strain. He was temporarily doubtful for New York's season opener. Instead, he logged 31 minutes and registered 19 points on 5/12 shooting and grabbed 11 rebounds.
His status between now and tip-off against Boston on Friday bears monitoring. However, the fact that he was able to log over 30 minutes in the Knicks' victory vs. the Cavaliers suggests that he will be able to play.
Friday night's game, a rematch, at least in spirit, of the second-round series between these two last postseason, starts at 7:30 EST.