Inside The Celtics

Celtics Release Lengthy Injury Report Ahead of Monday's Matchup vs. Pistons

Already down one starter, the Celtics may be without another in Monday's game vs. Pistons.

Bobby Krivitsky

Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
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Sunday, the Celtics announced Marcus Smart would not return from a six-game (and counting) absence on Monday night in the Motor City.

Smart, dealing with a right ankle sprain, provided a progress report last Tuesday at the Auerbach Center.

Boston's 2-4 without its starting floor general and sorely miss the tempo he plays with and his ability to organize the offense.

Joining Smart on Sunday's injury report, the Celtics listed Luke Kornet as questionable for Monday's game against the Pistons because of a left ankle sprain he suffered during Boston's 106-94 loss to the Suns on Friday.

Kornet's now downgraded to out, leaving the Celtics to figure out how to handle their rotation at center without their first option off the bench. A February contest in Detroit doesn't seem like an instance where it's worth placing more of a tax on starters Robert Williams and Al Horford, so if Joe Mazzulla wants to avoid that, it likely means minutes for Blake Griffin against his former team.

Boston may also have to overcome Jaylen Brown's absence on Monday. According to the Celtics' injury report, Brown is dealing with a non-Covid illness.

Inside The Celtics will have an update on Brown's status within this article when that information becomes available.

Tip-off between the Celtics and Pistons is at 7:00 pm EST. Inside The Celtics will have content related to the game coming out before, during, and afterward. And follow @BobbyKrivitsky on Twitter for updates and analysis from pregame to post.

Update: Jaylen Brown will not play in Monday's matchup.

Sam Hauser will start in Brown's absence, joining Derrick White, Jayson Tatum, Robert Williams, and Al Horford as the first five on the floor for Boston.

Further Reading

Celtics Reportedly Considering Trade For Local Big Man To Improve Center Depth

Instant Reaction to Nets Trading Kyrie Irving to Mavericks, a Missed Opportunity for a Celtics' Rival

Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Loss vs. Suns: Ice-Cold Shooting Has Boston Playing from Behind Nearly All Night

1:1 with Paul Pierce on What the Celtics-Lakers Rivalry Means to Him; Jayson Tatum's Growth, His Evaluation of Boston's Season, and More

A Potential Buyout Target and the Celtics are Reportedly Showing Mutual Interest

Celtics Reportedly Interested in Reunion with Kelly Olynyk

These Four Teams Reportedly Have Interest in Trading Celtics Guard Payton Pritchard

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Bobby Krivitsky
BOBBY KRIVITSKY

Bobby Krivitsky's experiences include covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter for Basketball Insiders. He's also a national sports talk host for SportsMap Radio, a network airing on 96 radio stations throughout the country. Additionally, he was a major-market host, update anchor, and producer for IMG Audio, and he worked for Bleacher Report as an NFL and NBA columnist.

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