The Boston Celtics could be rolling into Wednesday night’s clash with the Milwaukee Bucks severely shorthanded, with both Jayson Tatum and Payton Pritchard listed as questionable. This isn’t some late-season maintenance, either. Tatum, who has been an absolute iron man, playing every single game this season, is questionable with a “rest” designation. Pritchard, another guy who hasn’t missed a beat, is dealing with a right shoulder contusion. Talk about a gut punch before a big game, especially after both guys suited up for that Sunday-Monday back-to-back against Orlando and Houston.
Tatum’s ‘Rest’ After a Monster Start: What Gives?
Tatum’s questionable status for “rest” is raising some eyebrows, especially since the dude hasn’t missed a game all season. This is the same Tatum who’s averaging a stellar 27 points, 7.9 assists, and 6 rebounds a night, shooting 41.8% from the field. He’s clearly fully recovered from that Achilles rupture, lighting up the scoreboard and playing big minutes. To see him potentially sit this one out for rest, even after Paul George and Mitchell Robinson each got a game off during the road trip and are now available, feels like a calculated, if risky, move early in the season.
If Tatum does sit, the Celtics will have a major hole to fill in the starting five. Baylor Scheierman, who already earned his first start this season when George rested on Sunday, could get the nod again. Jordan Walsh and Sam Hauser are also in the mix as potential candidates to step up and try to cover some of that offensive firepower. The usual starting lineup of Derrick White, Jordan Walsh, Paul George, Jayson Tatum, and Mitchell Robinson has already seen a shake-up, with Hugo Gonzalez replacing Walsh in the last two games, and Neemias Queta stepping in for Robinson during Monday’s loss to the Rockets. Now, another big change could be coming.
Pritchard’s Absence Opens the Door for Bench Guys
Payton Pritchard, much like Tatum, has been a constant presence this season, coming off the bench in every game. Now, a right shoulder contusion could force him to the sidelines. Pritchard’s been a bit hit-or-miss offensively, averaging 13.4 points and 3.4 assists on 40.3% shooting from the field and 31% from three, though he did have two huge games against the Chicago Bulls.
With Pritchard potentially out and Devin Carter officially out with an illness, the Celtics’ bench depth is really going to be tested. This could be a big opportunity for guys who have been on the fringes of the rotation, like Mike Conley or Ron Harper Jr., to step up and show what they’ve got. The team will need someone to provide some instant offense and playmaking off the bench if Pritchard can’t go.
The Celtics are sitting at a solid 5-2 to start the season, with wins over the Knicks, two against the Bulls, and another versus the Nets. Their two losses came against the Detroit Pistons and the Houston Rockets. Facing the Milwaukee Bucks, who are struggling at 1-6 in their first post-Giannis Antetokounmpo season, might seem like a manageable game on paper. However, the Bucks still have talent, led by Tyler Herro, who’s putting up 21.9 points and 4 assists, and Jaime Jaquez Jr., with 16.6 points and 7.3 rebounds. This isn’t a game the Celtics can take lightly, especially if they are missing two key contributors. The game against Milwaukee is Wednesday, and all eyes will be on that final injury report.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Celtics Blog.
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