Boston Celtics DVOA, Stats, & NBA Rankings

Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (knee) is out for Wednesday's showdown with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Wednesday is the front end of Boston's back-to-back, so they will opt to keep Porzingis out due to a right knee contusion likely with an eye toward having him suit up for Thursday's clash versus the Milwaukee Bucks. The Celtics have regularly alternated rest days between the oft-injured Latvian All-Star and veteran Al Horford (illness), who will play on Wednesday but figures to sit out on Thursday. Horford should slide into head coach Joe Mazzulla's starting lineup against a rigid Minnesota defense holding opponents to an NBA-best 107.2 points per game, and he sports averages of 11.0 points, 9.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.3 blocks, and 2.1 triples in seven games without Porzingis this season.

Boston Celtics forward/center Kristaps Porzingis (knee) is questionable for Wednesday's matchup against Minnesota. It's the beginning of a back-to-back for Boston and Porzingis has started to skip games in these situations, so he could take the night off on Wednesday. Al Horford should then feature heavily in the rotation, although the veteran is questionable himself with an illness. Either way, it's not a good matchup for Boston's bigs, as Minnesota boasts the most efficient defense in the league, with Rudy Gobert anchoring things in the paint.

Boston Celtics forward/center Al Horford (illness) is questionable heading into Wednesday's matchup against the Timberwolves. He's dealing with a non-COVID-related illness. However, with the C's also meeting the Bucks on Thursday evening, there's a good chance Horford won't play versus Minnesota. With Kristaps Porzingis (knee) also questionable, Boston could go deep into the rotation, meaning Neemias Queta and Luke Kornet could see meaningful minutes for fantasy managers.

Boston Celtics forward Sam Hauser (shoulder) isn't listed on the injury report ahead of Wednesday's matchup versus the Minnesota Timberwolves. The 26-year-old didn't play on Monday against the Indiana Pacers because of an impingement in his right shoulder. However, it only cost him a game, so his absence was likely more for precautionary measures. Hauser is a vital component in the C's rotation this season. But he's averaging only 8.5 points and 3.6 rebounds, meaning his availability won't mean much for fantasy managers, especially with Jayson Tatum (ankle) also removed from the injury report.

Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday (elbow) is questionable ahead of Wednesday's game versus the Timberwolves. The 33-year-old veteran continues to deal with a right elbow sprain, an injury that's bothered him for weeks. However, he's played through the ailment, recently accruing 21 points, six rebounds, six assists, and one steal in Monday's loss to the Indiana Pacers. Of course, his statistical output was higher than usual in that one, considering Jayson Tatum (ankle) wasn't in the lineup. At any rate, Holiday remains a must-start for fantasy managers despite his decrease in production throughout the 2023-24 campaign. But if he doesn't suit up, Sam Hauser (shoulder), who isn't listed on the league's official injury report, and Payton Pritchard could see more minutes. Yet, with Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and potentially Kristaps Porzingis (knee) on the floor, it's tough for anyone else to get involved.