Jayson Tatum, Kemba Walker out vs. Thunder on Tuesday, Robert Williams questionable
One more day. Maybe.
A day after Robert Williams was the only Celtic to appear on the injury report for yesterday’s matinee in Charlotte, two teammates have been added to the list ahead of tomorrow’s tip against the Thunder. Boston has yet to play a game with their full complement of key rotation players this season and it appears that they’ll have to wait at least until Game #63.
Kemba Walker’s addition to the walking wounded is no surprise. After contesting a Terry Rozier three-pointer yesterday, Walker raced to the locker room holding his side.
He’d return to the contest and finish with 20 points and four assists in 29 minutes in the loss. After the game, Walker said of the freak injury, “I can’t really explain it, to be honest. I don’t know. I just felt some weird pain in my side. I can’t really explain it. It was just pretty painful at the time.”
Jayson Tatum sitting tomorrow out isn’t unexpected either. He’s been listed as questionable with a “left ankle impingement” in the past before. After missing two weeks and five games due to COVID health and safety protocols, Tatum has only missed a game since then and was due a day off. Over his last four games, he’s only shooting 33.8% from the field, including back-to-back 3-for-17 nights against the Bulls and Suns.
Williams’ promotion from “out” yesterday to “questionable” for tomorrow is encouraging. He’s missed six straight games with swelling behind his knee.
The Celtics have a back-to-back set to start out this three-game homestand. The Hornets are in town Wednesday night for a quick rematch.