The Celtics will be shorthanded Sunday as they visit the Cavaliers on the second night of a back-to-back.
Boston ruled out starters Neemias Queta (left ankle sprain injury management) and Derrick White (right calf contusion) for its matchup with Cleveland at Rocket Arena. Jayson Tatum also was ruled out as he continues his recovery from Achilles surgery.
Both players played in Saturday night’s 119-115 road loss to the Timberwolves. Queta, who sat out Wednesday’s win over the Pistons, delivered one of the best performances of his career against Minnesota, totaling 19 points, 18 rebounds, eight offensive rebounds and two blocks in 29 minutes. The 26-year-old center was the first Celtics player to post those numbers in a game since Robert Parish in 1989.
White hit a late 3-pointer and drew a three-shot foul to help spark an unsuccessful fourth-quarter comeback. But it was another rough shooting night overall for the veteran guard, who went 6-for-16 and 2-for-8 from three in the loss. White is shooting just 36.3% from the field and 31.7% from deep this season.
Sunday’s DNP is the first of the season for White — who also led all Celtics starters with 76 appearances last season — and the second for Queta. Boston’s rim protection could suffer in their absence, as the duo is tied for the team lead with 25 blocks apiece this season. No other Celtics player has more than eight.
Jaylen Brown, who tied his season high with 41 points against the Wolves after being listed as questionable with low back spasms, was removed from the injury report and cleared to play against Cleveland.
The Cavs ruled out six players, including starting big man Jarrett Allen and reserves Lonzo Ball, Sam Merrill and Larry Nance Jr. All-Star point guard Darius Garland, who did not play in Cleveland’s 125-105 loss at TD Garden on Oct. 29, was not listed on the injury report after returning from a toe issue last week.
