Well, that actually takes some buzz out of a giant recreation.
The Celtics face the Bucks in Milwaukee on Tuesday evening in an vital Eastern Conference matchup, however they’ll doubtless be with out their celebrity. Jayson Tatum was listed as uncertain for the sport as a result of a non-COVID sickness.
Tatum has been battling an sickness since final week, when he was initially listed as questionable for Friday’s recreation towards the Hornets however performed by way of it to attain 41 factors within the victory was tremendous for Sunday’s win over the Grizzlies, when he scored simply 16 factors on 3-for-16 taking pictures. A day later, he was again on the damage report.
Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens mentioned final Friday that Tatum was “really feeling it” on Thursday earlier than he overcame it. Stevens added that Tatum would doubtless sit Wednesday’s recreation towards the Pistons – the ultimate recreation earlier than the All-Star break – on the second evening of the back-to-back as they handle his minutes however his standing for that recreation appears to be unclear now given this information.
Tatum was one in all six Celtics regulars on the damage report for Tuesday towards the Bucks. Marcus Smart will miss his eleventh consecutive recreation with a proper ankle sprain, whereas Jaylen Brown will probably be out with the facial fracture he suffered final week. Robert Williams (left ankle soreness) and Grant Williams (proper elbow swelling) are questionable whereas Malcolm Brogdon, who missed Sunday with proper achilles soreness, was upgraded to possible.
The Celtics have been resilient when undermanned this season however with out not less than three regulars and probably extra, it will likely be a troublesome job to beat towards Giannis Antetekounmpo and the second-place Bucks, who enter Tuesday’s matchup 1.5 video games behind the C’s atop the East. The Bucks are on a 10-game profitable streak.
Former Celtics ahead Jae Crowder, who was acquired by the Bucks by way of commerce final week, gained’t make his debut together with his new workforce till after the All-Star break, coach Mike Budenholzer advised reporters in Milwaukee.
Pritchard: ‘I’m dedicated’
Tuesday’s slew of accidents is probably going to offer extra alternative for Payton Pritchard. Though the third-year guard has been outspoken about his want for a much bigger position, the dear depth he brings for conditions the Celtics have discovered themselves in during the last week is a motive why they finally stored him because the commerce deadline handed.
As the deadline handed with out a deal made, Pritchard has readability about his scenario and the place he’ll be the remainder of the season. And whereas he’s been disgruntled about his inconsistent enjoying time this season, he made clear Sunday that his focus is solely on the Celtics and benefiting from each alternative he will get to assist them win, which he’s performed all season regardless of unideal private circumstances.
“I’ve been open about where I was at and I’m here now,” Pritchard mentioned. “I’m knowledgeable on the finish of the day, I present up and I work and any minutes I get, I’m gonna play as a result of I like to play basketball. This complete factor about what everyone’s been saying — I like this metropolis, I like this group, I like my teammates. This is likely one of the greatest.
“This is what the whole thing was about: Me wanting to play, because that’s what I love to do. That’s all it’s been about. But I’m here and I do love it here and I’m committed. I want to help this team any way I can to win a championship and put a banner in, whatever that takes.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com