Celtics Get Worrying Injury Update Ahead of Thunder Game

The Boston Celtics fell to the San Antonio Spurs 125-116 on Tuesday night at the Frost Bank Center. Derrick White fought hard, carrying the offense with 34 points, seven assists and five rebounds. Jayson Tatum added 24 points in just his third game back. It was not enough. The loss dropped Boston to 43-22 on the season.

Thursday brings the toughest challenge the Celtics will face all regular season. Boston travels to Oklahoma City to face a Thunder team that owns the best record in the NBA at 51-15. The Thunder have won nine of their last ten games and six straight.

The injury report released by both teams added a layer of uncertainty to an already difficult matchup.

Celtics Injury Report for Thursday

Jayson Tatum is listed as questionable for Thursday’s game with right Achilles repair reconditioning. In his three games since returning from his ten-month absence, JT is averaging 19.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists. This would mark his first missed game since coming back if ruled out.

Derrick White is also questionable with a right knee contusion. White just delivered one of his best performances of the season, but the question now is whether he can suit up less than 48 hours later against the league’s best team.

Nikola Vucevic remains out after fracturing his right ring finger last Friday, and is set to be re-evaluated in three to four weeks.

In good news for Boston, Payton Pritchard is listed as probable after missing Tuesday’s game with neck spasms.

Tuesday’s Loss in San Antonio

White put the Celtics on his back against the Spurs. He scored 19 points in the third quarter alone to keep Boston within striking distance.

It wasn’t enough. Victor Wembanyama torched the Celtics for a 39-point double-double. San Antonio made 20 threes on the night and pulled away in the fourth quarter with a 12-0 run.

The Celtics had already lost Jaylen Brown on the night to a pair of technical fouls just before halftime, which changed the game. Brown had eight points and seven assists in 15 minutes before his ejection. Boston was already playing without Pritchard and Vucevic.

Ron Harper Jr. delivered a career-high 22 points off the bench on 8-of-11 shooting. His performance gave Boston a legitimate spark, but one breakout night couldn’t replace losing an All-Star for an entire half.

White addressed Brown’s ejection after the game and didn’t hold back.

“I thought the second one was bullsh*t, honestly,” White said. “You can’t throw out a guy who’s done so much for us all year, and in a game like this, especially.”

The loss stung. Now the Celtics have to turn around and face the reigning champions with an uncertain roster.

What Oklahoma City Brings

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will likely win the MVP. He’s averaging 31.7 points and 6.6 assists while shooting 55 percent from the field and 38 percent from three. Keeping him contained will be crucial for the Celtics.

On the injury side, both Jalen Williams and Isaiah Hartenstein are listed as out for Thursday’s game. Branden Carlson is also unavailable. The Thunder have absorbed every absence and kept winning. Jaylin Williams dropped 29 points and 12 rebounds against Denver earlier this week. Guards Ajay Mitchell and Jared McCain have stepped into bigger roles off the bench.

Boston dropped both matchups against Oklahoma City last season. The teams haven’t faced each other yet this year, and will meet again later in the month at TD Garden.

Final Word for the Celtics

The injury report lists two key starters as questionable heading into the toughest road game of the season.

Tatum just returned from ten months away. White carried the team Tuesday night and may have gotten hurt doing it. Vucevic remains out. Pritchard should be back.

Oklahoma City is 51-15 and riding a six-game winning streak. They have the best ranked defense in the NBA.

The Celtics will need their depth again on Thrusday.

Keith Watkins Keith Watkins is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers. He previously wrote for FanSided, NBA Analysis Network, and Last Word On Sports. Keith is based in Bangkok, Thailand. More about Keith Watkins