Derrick White, Desmond Bane Headline Final Injury Report For Celtics vs Grizzlies

Could a pair of starting guards miss Saturday's clash of contending titans?

Dec 4, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) reacts after making a three-point basket against the Detroit Pistons during the second quarter at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images / Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

Two-time All-Defensive Team Boston Celtics guard Derrick White, who had been downgraded to a probable status due to a right foot sprain, has officially been listed by Boston as available to suit up for Saturday night's matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies, in the second night of a pair of back-to-back bouts.

According to the league's latest injury report, Memphis may not be so lucky regarding the health of one of its own starting guards. Shooting guard Desmond Bane is currently questionable to suit up due to a sore left toe. Through his 16 healthy games this season, the 6-foot-5 TCU product is averaging 14.5 points on .435/.319/.806 shooting splits, 6.3 rebounds and 4.1 dimes a night.

Rookie starting center Zach Edey (left ankle sprain), second-year power forward GG Jackson (right fifth metatarsal repair), swingman Luke Kennard (illness), and shooting guard/small forward Vince Williams Jr. (right ankle sprain) are all on the shelf for Memphis.

Former Celtics Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart, now a reserve for Memphis, is considered questionable to play through a right ankle sprain. The 6-foot-3 vet, a three-time All-Defensive honoree, is averaging 9.8 points on .379/.323/.829 shooting splits, 4.5 assists, 2.5 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 0.5 blocks a night.

In Edey's absence, reserve big man Brandon Clarke has stepped up as Memphis' substitute starting center, filling out a frontcourt that also includes 2023 Defensive Player of the Year power forward Jaren Jackson Jr.

Reserve Boston center Al Horford, who also sat out Friday's 111-105 victory against the Milwaukee Bucks, will miss another bout with a left big toe sprain. Two-way players JD Davison and Anton Watson remain on assignment with Boston's G League affiliate, the Maine Celtics.

7-foot-2 starting Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis, meanwhile, is not on Boston's injury report after sitting out the Bucks game for ailment maintenance. Through his four healthy contests since returning from an offseason surgery for a retinaculum injury, the one-time All-Star is averaging 21.0 points on .491/.360/.826 shooting splits, 7.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks a night.

Per Michael Arinze of sportsbook aggregator The Action Network, the 19-4 Celtics are considered 7.5-point favorites to best the 15-8 Grizzlies at home in TD Garden. The game tips off at 8 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Boston locally.

UPDATE:

Both Bane and Smart have been cleared to play for Memphis.

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