Celtics Shorthanded for Monday's Game vs. the Cavaliers After Sunday's Double-Overtime Loss to the Knicks

The Celtics are without three starters for their regular-season finale vs. the Cavaliers.

Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

There's a tax that comes with playing a double-overtime game on the front end of a back-to-back.

In Sunday's 131-129 loss to the Knicks, Jayson Tatum logged 49 minutes. He had his knee attended to during the third quarter. He also made multiple trips to the locker room, including before the start of the second overtime.

After the game, Celtics' head coach Joe Mazzulla said those were bathroom breaks. It's fair to be skeptical about whether that's true or not.

Due to a left knee contusion, Tatum, who registered a game-high 40 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and dished out six assists, matching Al Horford for the most on the team, will not play in Monday's matchup against the Cavaliers.

Neither will Horford, who doesn't suit up for the second half of back-to-backs. His injury designation is lower back stiffness.

#NEBHInjuryReport vs. Cleveland:

Danilo Gallinari (left knee ACL repair) - OUT
Al Horford (low back stiffness) - OUT
Jayson Tatum (left knee contusion) - OUT
Robert Williams (left hamstring strain) - OUT

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) March 6, 2023

Boston is already without Robert Williams, who's dealing with a left hamstring strain. Before Sunday's double-overtime defeat, Mazzulla said the Timelord's expected to return in seven-to-ten days.

However, he also acknowledged that the timeline is fluid. Given that it's a hamstring injury, it could take longer. The last thing the Celtics will do is rush his return.

On a positive note, Malcolm Brogdon will return after missing Boston's last two tilts due to right ankle soreness.

The Celtics' sixth man is averaging 14.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game this season. He's also nearly producing 50/40/90 splits, shooting 48.8 percent from the field, 46 percent from beyond the arc on 4.4 attempts, and 88.7 percent from the free-throw line.

Boston is 1.5 games behind the Bucks for the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Down three starters for Monday's matchup in Cleveland, the visitors could find themselves 2.5 back after Tuesday's tilt between Milwaukee and the Magic, which takes place in Orlando. They'll have 16 games left after their regular-season finale vs. the Cavaliers.

On the heels of Sunday's loss to the Knicks, Mazzulla, who said he has "zero" concern about the Celtics dropping three of their last four games, addressed whether Boston will prioritize rest over its pursuit of the one seed.

Monday's matchup at Cleveland tips off at 7:00 pm EST. Inside The Celtics will have content related to the game before, during, and afterward. And follow @BobbyKrivitsky on Twitter for updates and analysis from pregame to post.

Further Reading

Should the Celtics Prioritize Rest Over Their Pursuit of the One Seed? Joe Mazzulla Weighs in

Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Loss vs. Knicks: Is it Time for a Priority Shift?

Celtics Address a Glaring Issue They've Yet to Solve: 'We've Got to Find a Way to Play a Complete 48 Minutes'

Joe Mazzulla Shares His Perspective on the Roots of the Celtics' Collapse vs. Nets

Jayson Tatum on Load Management: 'I Just Think About the Young Kid, the Kid Inside Me from St. Louis That Dreamed About Being in the NBA'

A Top Celtics Free-Agent Target Signs Elsewhere, Where Does Boston Go from Here?

Jayson Tatum Unveils Jordan Tatum 1's