Monday night at TD Garden, the Boston Celtics host the Portland Trail Blazers. It's a matchup headlined by reunions. Jrue Holiday is about to play against his former team for the first time since helping them raise banner 18 to the rafters overlooking the parquet. Robert Williams III hasn't faced his former franchise since getting traded to Portland either.
James Posey, an integral member of the Celtics' 2008 title team, will also return as an assistant coach on Thiago Splitter's staff. Evan Turner, who played for both organizations, is also in the building.
There's also another return of sorts happening on Monday. After an 11-game absence, Josh Minott rejoins Boston's lineup. The fourth-year wing has not appeared in 15 of the Celtics' last 16 contests. He is returning from a left ankle sprain. He also had fallen out of the rotation before suffering his injury.
Now, he gets a chance to re-emerge as a part of Boston's rotation. Minott is averaging 6.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and nearly 1.0 steals this season. He is also knocking down over 50 percent of his field goal attempts.
Who is on the Celtics' injury report?
While Minott is now healthy enough to remove his name from Boston's injury report, several others remain there. Luka Garza is not available for Monday's matchup.
The fifth-year center is dealing with a non-COVID illness. Garza also hurt his ankle in Saturday's loss to the Chicago Bulls. He finished with four points, two rebounds, and one block in 14 minutes that night in "The Windy City." Fortunately, that ailment was never listed as a reason for him being on the injury report.
Garza is producing 7.6 points and 4.2 rebounds in 16.5 minutes off the bench in his first season in green.
The Celtics are also without Chris Boucher when they host the Trail Blazers. The nine-year veteran is also dealing with a non-COVID illness. He has only appeared in eight games with Boston.
Fortunately, while the hosts are without Garza and Boucher in the front court, Neemias Queta is available and starting at center. Thriving with his opportunity in the first unit, the Lisbon, Portugal, native is averaging 10.2 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks this season.
Joining Queta in the starting lineup are Payton Pritchard, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, and Sam Hauser.
Holiday, Sidy Cissoko, Shaedon Sharpe, Toumani Camara, and Donovan Clingan will start for Portland.
The only other player out for Boston is Jayson Tatum, as he continues rehabbing a torn Achilles tendon.