Celtics injury report: 2 players added for Tuesday’s game against the Nuggets

On By Littum

The Celtics could be shorthanded for their matchup against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday after two players were late additions to the team’s injury report. The team announced prior to Tuesday morning’s shootaround that Derrick White and Jordan Walsh were now both questionable for Tuesday night due to a non-COVID illness. None were listed on the Celtics’ initial injury report Monday ahead of their road tilt at the Ball Arena.

White has been one of the most reliable members of the Celtics roster this year, appearing in 35 games so far. He has a career average of 17.1 points per game. match over 34.3 minutes per competition. Walsh has also seen regular rotation minutes in recent weeks, but did not appear in Sunday’s loss to the Thunder as the team had its full roster available for just the second time all season.

Aaron Gordon remains out for Denver with a calf sprain that has sidelined him since a Christmas Day loss to the Suns. The Nuggets have gone 4-2 since he has been out.

If White is unavailable, it would create an interesting lineup decision for Joe Mazzulla. Traditionally, Mazzulla has inserted Al Horford in the starting five when a player is unavailable. However, the Nuggets have started three guards with Gordon on the sideline in Russell Westbrook, Jamal Murray and Christian Braun. If Horford and Kristaps Porzingis were to start together, it would force someone to guard Michael Porter Jr. or one of Denver’s guards. On the flip side, Boston would have a size advantage at multiple positions in that scenario offensively. Mazzulla could also turn to Sam Hauser if he wanted to keep Horford in a backup role if White is unable to play.

The Celtics will try to finish their four-game road trip with a 3-1 record if they can pull out the win in Denver. The two teams give notice at 10 p.m. in a nationally televised matchup on TNT at the Ball Arena.

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