Sans Tatum, shorthanded situation gets even worse
MILWAUKEE — The Celtics have been shorthanded quite often in recent weeks, but the situation became excessive for Tuesday’s game against the Bucks.
Jayson Tatum sat out because of a nonCOVID illness, and Al Horford was eventually ruled out with right knee soreness. They joined fellow starters Marcus Smart (ankle) and Jaylen Brown (facial fracture) who remained sidelined.
Center Robert Williams was the lone member of the regular starting lineup who was active, although he did not even start.
The absences removed some luster from what was expected to be a showdown of the NBA’s two top teams. After the Bucks’ 131-125 win in overtime, Boston has a half-game lead over Milwaukee, and the two are expected to battle for the No. 1 seed over the final two months of the regular season.
Horford believes the Celtics should balance the chase for that top spot by ensuring that the full roster is healthy and ready when the postseason arrives.
“Both teams are playing at a very high level,” Horford said before the game. “I think for me it’s to make sure that we’re playing good basketball and we get to the levels that we need to get to for the postseason.
“Obviously, we’ve been No. 1 most of the season but it’s the regular season. I don’t focus so much on that part of it. I’m focusing more on how we’re playing. Are we doing the right things? Are we progressing like we want as a team?
“And I just think that if we’re able to do those things I feel like we’ll be in a good place. But obviously getting a top seed will be ideal. Going through the Garden, that’s ideal. But I just want us to be playing good basketball and if the guys feel good, everybody’s healthy, I think that’s what we all want.”
Load management
Last Friday, Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens said that the Celtics were thinking of limiting Tatum’s workload and that he would probably sit out Wednesday’s game against the Pistons, the second game of a backto-back set and Boston’s final game before the All-Star break.
It’s unclear whether Tuesday’s absence could change that plan. Tatum is averaging a careerhigh 37.4 minutes per game this year, secondmost in the NBA.
He will be a starter in Sunday’s All-Star game in Salt Lake City and has committed to take part in the 3-Point Contest Saturday night, too.
“All of our guys have stepped up and played to their level when we needed them to,” coach Joe Mazzulla said. “Obviously, the details don’t change about what we need to take away and what we’re focused on . . . It will be fun. The expectation, the details, and the execution don’t change.”
Day by day
Smart has missed 11 games in a row because of the ankle sprain he suffered Jan. 21 in a win over the Raptors. Mazzulla said he continues to make progress.
“He’s on the court, just making sure his range of motion and his pain is good with his ability to cut,” Mazzulla said, “So, he’s day to day and we’ll see.”