The Latest on Celtics Star's Status for Thursday's Nuggets Game

The Celtics and Nuggets will square off in a potential NBA Finals preview Thursday night at Ball Arena in Denver.

David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Thursday night at Ball Arena, the Boston Celtics square off against the Denver Nuggets in a potential NBA Finals preview.

The defending champions boast the league's best player in Nikola Jokic, and at 42-20, they're just one back of the top two seeds in the Western Conference, the Minnesota Timberwolves and Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Celtics, an NBA-leading 48-13, boast the most talented top six in the Association, and they're making the necessary sacrifices to maximize that advantage.

When these two teams met at TD Garden earlier this season, the Nuggets prevailed 102-100 in a matchup that came down to the final possession. It's the hosts' first loss on their parquet after starting this campaign 20-0 at home.

As they aim to even the regular season series, they've received a positive update on the health front. Jaylen Brown, initially listed as questionable due to a sacroiliac strain, will be in the lineup.

According to Brian Robb of MassLive, the three-time All-Star said at Thursday's shoot-around that he wasn't sure about the origin of the injury.

The Mayo Clinic defines a sacroiliac strain 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."

After a collision with Draymond Green left Brown clutching for his left knee before staying in Sunday's 52-point steamrolling of the Golden State Warriors, Boston initially listed him as questionable for Tuesday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers due to a left knee contusion.

The Celtics, who lost that contest 105-104, squandering a 22-point lead in the final frame, have only lost twice in a row once this season, dropping consecutive games against the Timberwolves and Philadelphia 76ers in early November.

Further Reading

Warriors' 'Disrespect' Only One Source of Fuel for Jaylen Brown Sunday

'The Best Team in the NBA': Luka Doncic Struck by Celtics' Balance

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'