Boston Celtics DVOA, Stats, & NBA Rankings

The Boston Celtics have announced a clean injury report for Thursday's showdown with the Miami Heat, meaning center Kristaps Porzingis (knee) will be available to play. After fully practicing on Wednesday, Porzingis will return on Thursday from a one-game absence during Monday's road win over the Dallas Mavericks due to inflammation in his right knee. The 28-year-old All-Star returns to second-round fantasy figures in 12-team nine-category leagues, putting up 19.5 points on 52.5% field-goal shooting, 6.8 rebounds, 1.8 three-pointers, and 1.9 blocks per game for the Celtics this season. Following a 31-minute spot start on Monday, veteran Al Horford will revert to Boston's second unit on Thursday.

The Boston Celtics have not put center Al Horford (rest) on Monday's injury report, which means he will be active against the Dallas Mavericks. Horford has regularly sat out on one end or the other of Boston's back-to-backs and alternated maintenance days with All-Star Kristaps Porzingis (knee), catching a breather during Sunday's 116-107 win over the Houston Rockets while the latter posted a game-high 32 points. With Porzingis hitting the seats on Monday, however, Horford's return becomes even more important for the Celtics. The 37-year-old former All-Star's offensive role is generally limited to spot-up duties, but he has been a reliable presence on the defensive end and remains among the best passing big men in the league. In nine outings without Porzingis in 2023-24, Horford is stuffing the stat sheet for 10.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 2.3 three-pointers, and 1.8 blocks per game.

The Boston Celtics have not included guard Jrue Holiday (elbow) on Monday's injury report, so he is available to return against the Dallas Mavericks following a one-game absence. A sprained right elbow is nagging Holiday, leading to him missing Sunday's victory over the Houston Rockets, but he is good to go on the second part of Boston's back-to-back. The 33-year-old two-way star might only be hovering around the top 75 for fantasy purposes due to a decline in usage in Boston's star-studded lineup, but he is contributing in other ways by shooting a career-high 41.8% from downtown and pulling down a career-best 6.2 rebounds in 33.7 minutes per game during his debut season in Beantown. Sam Hauser will head back to the Celtics' bench after filling up the box score on Sunday, and Monday's tilt versus Dallas should be popular from a DFS perspective with several blowout risks on Monday's eight-game slate.

The Boston Celtics have listed center Kristaps Porzingis (knee) as out for Monday's game against the Dallas Mavericks. Monday is the second night of Boston's back-to-back, so they will hold the oft-injured Latvian All-Star out of this revenge game against his former team due to inflammation in his right knee. Porzingis dropped a game-high 32 points with six three-pointers and five blocks in Sunday's road win over the Houston Rockets, and fantasy managers should expect him back in the Celtics' lineup for Thursday's showdown with the Miami Heat. Veteran Al Horford (rest) is off the injury report versus the Mavericks and is the most likely candidate to join the starting five. In nine contests without Porzingis this year, Horford is chipping in 10.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 2.3 threes, and 1.8 swats per game.

Memphis Grizzlies forward/center Xavier Tillman Sr. (knee) could miss a second straight game on Monday versus Toronto, with the team listing him as questionable. He also had the questionable tag ahead of Saturday's game against Chicago and didn't suit up. Santi Aldama recorded his sixth start of the season in Tillman Sr.'s absence. The Spaniard was quiet at the weekend but has previously done well in the starting unit, averaging 13.7 points and 6.0 rebounds in the role.