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Celtics’ Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown both ruled out for Tuesday’s game vs. Nets
This marks the first time this season that both Tatum and Brown are inactive for a game.
For the first time this season, the Celtics will take on an opponent without both Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown on the hardwood.
While Brown was ruled out on Monday for Boston’s home matchup against the Brooklyn Nets the following day, Tatum was also downgraded to out for Tuesday’s game just a few hours ahead of tip-off.
Brown is sidelined due to a right knee posterior impingement, while Tatum was ruled out on Tuesday due to a right knee tendinopathy.
Boston has benefited from a deep roster this season, but they’ve struggled to roll out their full lineup for extended stretches. As noted by NBC Sports Boston’s Chris Forsberg, the Celtics’ ideal starting five of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Kristaps Porzingis, and Jrue Holiday have played just over 300 minutes together across 20 games.
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Boston has not started that five-man unit in a game since Feb. 23, while Tuesday stands as the first time that the Celtics have had both Tatum and Brown inactive in the same game since the team’s 2023-24 regular-season finale on April 14, 2024.
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While the Celtics have all but locked up the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference ahead of the postseason, Tatum acknowledged over the weekend that he’s still stubborn when it comes to taking nights off.
“A lot of head-butting for sure,” Tatum told Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe. “I’ve always said that I’m still young, but I just turned 27, I understand the balance of being fresh and stuff, ready for hopefully a long playoff run. I’ve talked about the value that I’ve put into playing in road games. I’ve been very blessed and fortunate, too.
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“When I come in arenas, I see a lot of Tatum ‘0’ jerseys and kids with my shoes on. I understand they might be for their birthday or Christmas gift or whatever, and I try to stay ready and play as much and often as I can, and especially games on the road.”
Even without Tatum and Brown in the lineup, Boston will have a few more reinforcements in place against Brooklyn. White and Al Horford are expected to play after both sat out of Saturday’s road win against the Nets.
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