The Boston Celtics are sitting at a solid 5-2, but don’t let that record fool you: Wednesday night brings a brutal test with Jayson Tatum and Payton Pritchard both listed as questionable for their matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks. Tatum’s status? Straight up listed as questionable for *rest*, according to Yahoo Sports. Talk about a bold move from the front office, especially during a brutal stretch of eight games in just 13 days. Pritchard, on the other hand, is battling a right shoulder contusion that popped up after the team played two nights in a row against Orlando and Houston. If both these guys are out, the lineup is going to shift faster than a playoff fast break.
Resting A Star While The East Watches
Seriously, resting Tatum right now? The team is third in the Eastern Conference, why gamble with that? He has played in all seven games this season and is absolutely leading the squad with 27 points per contest. Yeah, his shooting numbers are a bit low at 41.8 percent from the floor and a cold 22.9 percent from three-point range, but he’s also dishing out 7.9 assists and pulling down six rebounds a game. The dude is recovered from that torn Achilles tendon that sidelined him for most of last year, per Yahoo Sports. We know the team wants to keep him fresh for the long haul, but losing his production on Wednesday night could easily cost them the win against a Bucks team that is surprisingly struggling at 1-6. If Tatum does sit, we might see Baylor Scheierman get another start, like he did on Sunday when Paul George rested. Sam Hauser and Jordan Walsh could also step up. The coaching staff has already shown they aren’t afraid to rest veterans like Mitchell Robinson and Paul George during this packed November schedule, and Robinson’s thumb sprain earlier, though he finished that Rockets game, is a reminder that health is always a factor.
Pritchard’s Shoulder & The Bench Depth Crunch
Pritchard’s injury, though, feels like the bigger worry because it’s a new one. He wasn’t even on the injury report before Wednesday, and now he’s got a right shoulder strain. He’s played every game this season, but he’s been struggling to find his rhythm, shooting only 31 percent from beyond the arc. He’s putting up 13.4 points per game with 3.4 assists and three rebounds. If Pritchard can’t go, look for Mike Conley or Ron Harper Jr. to get more minutes. Neither has been a regular part of the standard rotation much this season, so this is their shot to make an impact. Don’t forget, the team is already without Devin Carter, who’s out with mononucleosis. Carter, who signed a two-way contract after being waived by the Atlanta Hawks, hasn’t even made his regular season debut yet.
This game against the Bucks, who are led by Tyler Herro with 21.9 points and 4 assists and Jaime Jaquez Jr. adding 16.6 points and 7.3 rebounds in their post-Giannis Antetokounmpo era, is critical. The Celtics are about to face a tough schedule, with four straight road games coming right after this matchup: they play the Charlotte Hornets on November 6, the Bucks again on November 8, the Philadelphia 76ers on November 10, and the Toronto Raptors on November 11. They simply cannot afford to lose focus, especially when their own stars are sidelined.
The game tips off tonight at 7:30 p.m. ET at TD Garden. Get ready for some drama.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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