Celtics Starter Remains Sidelined, Will Miss Thursday's Game vs. Suns

The Celtics may be without multiple starters when they host the Suns on Thursday night at TD Garden.

Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Tuesday night in Salt Lake City, Utah, the Boston Celtics bested the Utah Jazz, 123-107, capping their five-game road trip with a third straight win after it got off to a rocky start with losses to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Denver Nuggets.

Now, the team atop the NBA standings, boasting a 51-14 record, returns home to TD Garden, where it will host the Phoenix Suns on Thursday.

These two squared off Saturday in the desert, where Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown combined for 56 points in a 117-107 victory for the visitors.

But Devin Booker, who didn't suit up that night due to a sprained right ankle, returned to the Suns' lineup on Monday, logging 38 minutes and scoring 27 points in a 117-111 win over the Cavaliers.

The expectation is for the four-time All-Star to suit up on Thursday.

Conversely, Kristaps Porzingis will miss his fourth straight matchup due to a right hamstring strain.

Brown, the other half of "Cookies and Cream," is listed as questionable for the contest due to a left hip contusion.

The 2022 All-NBA Second Team selection has also been dealing with a sacroiliac strain, which the Mayo Clinic defines as follows:

"A painful condition that affects one or both sacroiliac joints. These joints sit where the lower spine and pelvis meet. Sacroiliitis can cause pain and stiffness in the buttocks or lower back, and the pain might go down one or both legs."

Thursday night's game against a Phoenix team that's 5-5 in its last ten tilts and, at 38-27, sixth in the Western Conference standings, will tip off at 7:30 EST.

Further Reading

Celtics Cap Road Trip by Making Franchise History in Win vs. Jazz

'Always Ready': Celtics Second Unit Shines in Portland

Jayson Tatum Plays Entire Second Half vs. Suns: 'Don't Really Say That Many Times'

Jaylen Brown's Evolution Crucial to Celtics' Desire to Win with More Than Talent

Celtics Embracing Challenge to Go Beyond Most Talented

Jayson Tatum Opens Up About Sacrificing in Celtics' Title Pursuit: 'It's a Process'

Brad Stevens Discusses Celtics' Plan for Final Roster Spot

Marcus Smart Shares How Boston Shaped Him, His Message to Celtics Fans

Celtics Maturation Molded by Experience: 'It Builds, Like, an Armor'

Jaylen Brown Quieting Doubters, Validating What He Always Believed: 'Earn Everybody's Trust'

Joe Mazzulla Discusses Identity, Evolution of Celtics' Offense: 'Balance of Pace and Execution'