Celtics and Bucks Shorthanded for Potential Conference Finals Preview

Bobby Krivitsky | Oct 28, 2024

Apr 9, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) is guarded by Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (22) in the first quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images / Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

Monday night at TD Garden, the Boston Celtics host a potential Eastern Conference Finals preview against the Milwaukee Bucks.

While there was uncertainty surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo's status for Milwaukee's matchup with reigning NBA champions due to right patella tendinitis, Doc Rivers confirmed pregame that the two-time league MVP will be in the lineup.

However, the Bucks enter Monday's clash without Khris Middleton. The star forward is recovering from bilateral ankle surgery during the offseason.

Rivers said that there is still no timeline for Middleton's return.

As for the hosts, the Celtics will be without Sam Hauser for the third straight game.

The six-foot-eight sharpshooter is dealing with lower back pain that he described as flaring up on and off since the Summer.

Joe Mazzulla has repeatedly stated Hauser is "getting better every day." Boston initially listed him as questionable for Monday's meeting before downgrading him to inactive.

Hauser registered ten points and five rebounds in 24 minutes in the Celtics' 132-109 win over the New York Knicks after receiving their championship rings on opening night.

The Celtics also remain without Kristaps Porzingis. The seven-foot-three center is rehabbing from left posterior tibialis tendon surgery and is aiming for a December return. Until he makes his season debut, when discussing Boston's injury report, it's a question of whether anyone else's name is on that list.

Monday, it's just Hauser and Porzingis that the hosts will be without.

Tip-off between the Celtics and Bucks is at 7:30 p.m. EST at TD Garden.