Inside The Celtics

The Latest on the Health Front for the Celtics and Jazz Ahead of Friday Night's Matchup

The Celtics and Jazz are shorthanded for Friday's matchup in Boston.

Bobby Krivitsky

Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
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After a stellar two-way performance led to a 140-99 steamrolling of the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday, the Celtics must quickly turn the page to Friday's game against the Jazz.

When the two played in Utah about two weeks ago, the hosts got the better of Boston, rallying for a 118-117 win that came down to the wire, as Grant Williams got blocked at the basket by Walker Kessler on a play that went haywire, as the Jazz held on for the victory.

Bolstering the Celtics' odds of protecting the TD Garden parquet, just as Utah did at Vivint Arena, is head coach Joe Mazzulla said during his pregame media availability that they'll have Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown in the lineup. They were initially questionable for Friday's tilt due to a left hip contusion and lower back pain, respectively.

Boston will also have Payton Pritchard available after he missed Thursday's win due to left heel pain that sidelined him for nine games before he returned Tuesday against the Wizards.

The hosts will be without Robert Williams and Al Horford, though. Neither one plays both halves of a back-to-back this season. Blake Griffin will start in the latter's absence. The former has come off the bench since returning from a left hamstring strain.

As for the Jazz, Kelly Olynyk (non-Covid illness) got upgraded from questionable to available, but the visitors are without Lauri Markkanen (left-hand contusion), Jordan Clarkson (left hand - fourth finger sprain), Rudy Gay (low back soreness), and Collin Sexton (left hamstring strain).

Pregame, Utah's head coach, Will Hardy, said he watched Clarkson and Sexton go through a three-on-three workout Friday, and they and the team are hoping those two return before the end of the season.

Tip-off between the Celtics and Jazz on Friday is at 7:30 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

The Celtics are Proud of Their Growth, Including Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown's Maturation: 'I think We're a Better Team'

Celtics Discuss Dominating Performance in 140-99 Win Over Bucks

Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Win vs. Bucks: Boston Sends a Message in Blowout Victory

Al Horford Shares His First Impressions of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum

Al Horford Discusses Jayson Tatum's Ability to Stay Locked in Even When He's Struggling

Former Warriors' Director of Performance Keke Lyles Shares His Perspective on Load Management, Changing Stephen Curry's Movement Patterns, And What's Helped Jayson Tatum's Durability

Jaylen Brown Addresses Non-Committal Comments About Celtics' Future: 'I'm Focused on Helping Lead My Team for Another Playoff Run'

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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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