The Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers tip off Monday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, with several players sidelined or questionable for the game.
Boston does without Jayson Tatum, who continues his recovery from right Achilles surgery, and Josh Minott (sprained left ankle). Jaylen Brown is listed as questionable due to lower back spasms, while Sam Hauser is questionable due to right hamstring tightness.
If Brown plays, his 29.5 points and 6.4 rebounds per game could be crucial to maintaining Boston’s offensive balance, while Derrick White (18.6 points, 5.2 assists) and Payton Pritchard (16.8 points, 5.2 assists) are expected to play bigger roles anyway.
The Celtics have lost one of their last two games, losing 95-100 to the Spurs after beating Toronto 125-117.
Indiana is also dealing with multiple absences, with Tyrese Haliburton (right Achilles tear), Obi Toppin (right foot stress fracture) and Bennedict Mathurin (right thumb sprain) all out. Andrew Nembhard (lower back pain) and two-way players Kam Jones and Taelon Peter are questionable.
Pascal Siakam (23.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists) will anchor the Pacers’ offense.
The Pacers are riding a two-game winning streak, beating Miami 123-99 and Charlotte 114-112, and will look to continue the momentum against a Celtics team that leads the season series 2-0.
Tip-off is at 7:00 PM ET, with Boston looking to protect its 24-14 record and Indiana looking to extend its two-game goal despite an overall score of 8-31.
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