Celtics Feature Entire Top-Six on Injury Report Ahead of Knicks Matchup

The Boston Celtics are scheduled to face the New York Knicks on Tuesday, April 8. Boston has won all of its meetings with Tom Thibodeau's team this season. In fact, the Knicks are yet to beat any of the NBA's top-three teams, despite a summer of heavy investment.

Nevertheless, the Knicks will get one more bite of the apple against Boston. Fortunately for New York, it would appear the Celtics could be significantly short-manned for the contest.

In the Celtics' preliminary injury report, which was released on Monday, April 7, the entire of Boston's top-six rotation was listed among the potential absentees. The injury report reads as follows:

• Jaylen Brown - Right Knee Posterior Impingement - QUESTIONABLE
• Jrue Holiday - Right Shoulder Impingement - PROBABLE
• Al Horford - Right Knee Sprain - OUT
• Kristaps Porzingis - Illness (Non-Covid) - QUESTIONABLE
• Jayson Tatum - Left Ankle Sprain - QUESTIONABLE
• Derrick White - Right Big Toe Sprain - PROBABLE

Both Tatum and Porzingis missed Boston's 124-90 win over the Washington Wizards on Sunday, April 6. As such, there's no telling whether they will be back in the rotation or will continue to rest. As Horford has been ruled out, Porzingis could be rotated into the starting lineup.

However, my eyes will be focused firmly on Brown, who has been dealing with a bone bruise in recent weeks. And while the All-Star forward has looked good in recent outings, he's clearly lacking some of his elite burst and athleticism. It's for that reason that I think he should be rested until the start of the postseason.

I shared more of my thoughts on Brown's knee issues and the need for rest in the embedded video below.

As things currently stand, the Celtics could potentially face the Knicks in the second round of the postseason. New York must overcome the Detroit Pistons in order for that matchup to materialize.

So, while the Celtics don't necessarily need to secure the season sweep over their division rivals, the mental advantage that a win on Tuesday could provide has the potential to be huge.

I'll be waiting to see who is – and isn't – ruled out of the upcoming game between these two teams. I'm also excited for this game, as Mazzulla often opens up his playbook when facing the Knicks, and if the Celtics are somewhat short-handed, we could get a closer look at some of the actions Boston may run during the playoffs.

For now, though, I'll sign off with a prediction: Boston 118 - Knicks 109. Check in with me after the injury reports confirmed tomorrow to see if i still have the same bravado.