BOSTON – Both New York and Boston will take to the floor tonight minus a starter courtesy of a sore Achilles injury.
For Celtics guard Avery Bradley, tonight will be the fifth time in the last six games that his right Achilles injury will keep him sidelined.
Meanwhile, New York’s Kristaps Porzingis will miss his fourth straight game with a sore left Achilles injury.
The 7-foot-3 Porzingis averages 19.4 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game.
Porzingis’ absence tonight was established well before tip-off.
“I’d say I’m 90 percent ready; still not there yet,” Porzingis told reporters prior to the game. “But I’m getting closer … hopefully the next game or after the next game.”
As far as Bradley is concerned, he was a last-minute matter.
Boston Celtics
Celtics head coach Brad Stevens was asked about his roster earlier tonight, and indicated Tyler Zeller (sinus) and James Young (ankle) would be on the inactive list tonight with injuries.
Without Bradley, the Celtics are expected to start Marcus Smart who has filled in as the team’s starter previously when the 6-foot-2 Bradley was unavailable.
Bradley is the Celtics' second-leading scorer with 17.7 points per game this season, along with a team-high 6.9 rebounds per game and 2.4 assists.