
The Celtics have an important regular-season game coming up against the Cavaliers, but they could be shorthanded for the 6 p.m. Sunday matchup in Cleveland. Four total rotation players are listed on the injury report.
Derrick White (right foot sprain), Kristaps Porzingis (return from injury), Al Horford (left big toe sprain) and Jrue Holiday (right adductor tightness) are all questionable for Sunday’s game. That’s a lengthy list as the C’s are looking for their eighth straight win Sunday when they face the East-best Cavs.
The Celtics have a heavy stretch coming up with five games in the next seven days, which includes two back-to-backs. So the Celtics will likely stagger their guys so they’re not completely shorthanded some games. For example, Porzingis and Horford could stagger Sunday’s game at Cleveland and Monday’s game against the Heat where the bigs play one game each.
White’s injury will be something to monitor going forward. He left the Bulls victory early in the third quarter due to the sprain. C’s coach Joe Mazzulla said postgame that White said he would be fine. The questionable status is at least a positive that it’s likely a day-to-day injury instead of something that would knock him out long-term. Holiday’s injury is also new after playing 36 minutes in the Bulls win Friday.
The Cavaliers come into Sunday’s game with a 17-3 record, including a two-game losing streak after a hot start to the season. The Celtics roll in at 16-3, though they also have the win over the Cavs back on Nov. 19 in Boston. But this time, the Cavs will look to get some revenge on the defending champs after a close game the first time.