BOSTON — The Celtics might be with out Sam Hauser and Josh Minott forward of Friday’s sport in opposition to the Miami Warmth. Hauser continues to be recovering from a left ankle sprain he suffered in Monday night time’s loss to the Detroit Pistons, however is listed as possible to play.
Minott, in the meantime, can also be on the harm report, listed as possible with low again spasms.
Jayson Tatum stays out as he continues to get well from an Achilles rupture suffered final Could.
For Hauser, this sprain isn’t the ankle that precipitated him to overlook nearly all of the Celtics’ collection in opposition to the New York Knicks final Could — that was his proper ankle. However the veteran sharpshooter has handled a number of ankle sprains all through his Celtics tenure.
Hauser is within the midst of a down yr with the Celtics; he’s capturing a career-low 34% from three (and 34.3% from the sector) in 21.6 minutes per sport, whereas averaging 6.6 factors, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.3 assists.
On Monday, in Hauser’s absence — and coming off of three days of relaxation — Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard all performed elevated minutes, whereas Baylor Scheierman (quarter-hour) and Hugo Gonzalez (16 minutes) each shouldered a heavier load off the bench than they’ve on a typical night time.
“Not having Sam — his potential to execute and actually play from an offensive standpoint, getting us defensively,” Joe Mazzula mentioned on Monday. “However, we talked about earlier than the sport — that’s simply a part of the depth that we’ve got. The following man’s received to play.”
The Celtics have seen outstanding well being this season
In comparison with different groups within the NBA, the Celtics have confronted only a few harm woes all through the primary few months of the NBA season. Neemias Queta missed two video games with an ankle harm, Derrick White missed one sport with a calf contusion, and Jaylen Brown missed one sport with sickness. Exterior of that, the rotation has been principally unscathed.
Hauser has been available all through his five-year Celtics tenure; he performed in 80 of 82 video games within the 2022-23 season, in 79 video games of the Celtics’ championship season, and in 71 video games final yr, whereas coping with a again harm that hampered him earlier within the season.
Josh Minott, who has averaged 7 factors and 4.4 rebounds in 19 minutes per sport, whereas capturing a career-high 44.3% from three, has additionally but to overlook a sport for the Celtics.
The Celtics (15-11) will host the Miami Warmth (14-12) at 7pm on Friday night time at TD Backyard.
