The Boston Celtics don't play on Saturday, but they could clinch a playoff spot by the time the night's over. They'll officially punch their ticket if the Philadelphia 76ers or Atlanta Hawks come up short in their respective matchups.
Of course, it's improbable that Boston, the second seed in the Eastern Conference standings, would plummet into the play-in tournament. The Celtics are likely comfortable with whatever their path is as long as they're healthy and have maximized the time they have to get Jayson Tatum ramped up and reacclimated.
With that said, the focus when discussing Boston's playoff positioning is whether the C's will fend off the New York Knicks and enter the postseason as the second seed. They are currently up two games in the loss column on their geographical rival. However, the Knicks have the tiebreaker.
As Boston's focus remains internal, the visitors may be without multiple starters, including Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, when they face the Charlotte Hornets in the "Queen City" on Sunday.
Who's on the Celtics' injury report?
Boston has four starters on its initial injury report ahead of Sunday's clash in Charlotte.
Among those listed as questionable for the contest is Jayson Tatum due to right Achilles repair management. The six-time All-Star registered a season-high 26 points in Friday's 109-102 victory vs. the Atlanta Hawks. He logged 36:36 in the matchup and played the entire fourth quarter for the second straight game.
After the win, Tatum opened up about why he chose to return this season, rather than waiting until next year.
"A lot of it had to do with where the team was at, and never wanting to take moments in the season for granted, just thinking, like, 'Oh, we'll be good next year," shared Tatum. "I've been fortunate to be on a lot of really good teams. And you never want to take for granted the opportunity to be on a team that's contending for a championship."
While he understood it would take time for him to knock the rust off, the level he's already playing at on both sides of the ball is breathing life into the possibility that the Celtics could cap this storybook season with a championship.
To produce that Hollywood ending, they'll have to take it one day at a time. The next game in front of them could call on their depth to step up in elevated roles.
Along with Tatum, Jaylen Brown is also questionable for Sunday's matchup against the Hornets. The former Finals MVP is dealing with left Achilles tendinitis. He did not play in Friday's win over the Hawks.
Derrick White shares that same status due to a right knee contusion. The ninth-year guard generated 10 points, five assists, and four rebounds in 34 minutes in Boston's victory against Atlanta.
Starting center Neemias Queta may also miss Sunday's game against Charlotte. Queta is questionable to play because of a right thumb sprain. He finished with five points, 11 rebounds, five assists, and a block on Friday.
The only player definitively ruled out for the Celtics' upcoming clash is Nikola Vucevic, who is working his way back from a fractured right ring finger. He is hoping to participate in a few regular-season games before the playoffs, and his return could come soon.