Boston Celtics DVOA, Stats, & NBA Rankings

Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown (knee) has been battling knee issues over the last month or so of the regular season. He saw a small decrease in minutes and even sat out of the final three games, which made him ineligible for regular-season awards. Head coach Joe Mazzulla confirmed reports that Brown received pain management injections in his knee, but he also said that he expects the former Finals MVP to be ready to go for Game 1 of their first-round series. Throughout the last postseason, Brown was given the task of guarding the other team's best scorer more often than not. He's extremely important to the Celtics' success, given his level of defense on top of his season averages of 22.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.2 steals per game.

Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (neck) won't play on Sunday against the Hornets. The Celtics already locked up the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. Fortunately, this will allow the club to sit White and the rest of their core producers. As a result, Payton Pritchard, who had 15 points and 10 assists in his last start, should be a popular option for DFS managers versus one of the worst teams in the National Basketball Association.

Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (illness) won't play on Sunday against Charlotte. The veteran missed eight straight games in February and March because of an illness. He also sat out four more contests since returning for the March 15 win over the Brooklyn Nets. With that said, the Celtics have already secured the No. 2 spot in the Eastern Conference heading toward the playoffs, so Sunday's result won't matter. Al Horford (knee) also won't suit up, meaning Luke Kornet, who had 14 points, three boards, one steal, and one block in his last start, should return to the starting lineup.

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (rest) won't play on Sunday against the Hornets. The C's are heading to the postseason as the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. Fortunately, this will enable the club to rest some of their core performers, including Tatum, Jrue Holiday (shoulder), Jaylen Brown (knee), Kristaps Porzingis (illness), Al Horford (knee), and Derrick White (neck). Without those guys on the floor, Payton Pritchard, Baylor Scheierman, Sam Hauser, and Luke Kornet are the safest options for DFS managers.

Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown (knee) won't play on Sunday against Charlotte. The right knee injury has been an issue of late. Unfortunately, the problem may not be gone anytime soon, with ESPN's Ramona Shelburne reporting Brown received "pain management injections in an effort to promote healing." The 28-year-old struggled in Tuesday's overtime win over the Knicks, his last time on the floor, finishing with only six points in 22 minutes of work. There will likely be more updates on Brown's condition heading into the C's first-round playoff series. But fantasy managers will undoubtedly be hoping the ailment doesn't affect his ability to suit up in the playoffs as well as the start of the 2025-26 campaign.