The Boston Celtics are still searching for their first win of the 2025-26 season, as they suffered a 105-95 defeat at the hands of the New York Knicks on Friday night. While the C’s only lost one quarter in the game, the 28-point margin of defeat in the second quarter ended up being too much for the team to overcome.
Injuries have already become a major storyline for Boston, and the season is just two games old. Obviously, Jayson Tatum is still recovering from a torn Achilles tendon, but Jaylen Brown is also dealing with a nagging hamstring injury he suffered in the team’s preseason finale against the Toronto Raptors.
Brown has managed to suit up for the Celtics’ first two games, but he’s questionable to play against the Detroit Pistons on Sunday due to his aforementioned hamstring injury. Derrick White is also on the injury report, although he’s probable to play, despite dealing with a right wrist sprain.
Elsewhere, Luka Garza is questionable to play in this game as well after he suffered a concussion in the team’s season-opening loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. Depending on how things shake out, Boston could be quite shorthanded for this game.
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If Brown ends up being unable to play, it remains to be seen who would start in his place. Head coach Joe Mazzulla could opt to go small and run a three-guard lineup with Anfernee Simons taking his place, or he could go big and turn to Chris Boucher or Xavier Tillman.
It’s still early in the season, so even though Boston hasn’t won a game yet, the team will likely err on the side of caution when it comes to these respective injuries. It will be worth checking in before tip-off, which is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET on Sunday afternoon, to see who ends up being able to play for the Celtics in this game.
