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BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 29: Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla talks with reporters during Boston Celtics media day at the Auerbach Center on September 29, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
The Boston Celtics host the Washington Wizards up next on Saturday night at TD Garden. Boston is coming off a tough 104-102 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Payton Pritchard‘s heave at the buzzer fell just short. The loss dropped the Celtics to 43-23 on the season.
The Celtics were shorthanded Thursday night. Jayson Tatum, Derrick White and Nikola Vucevic were out. The young bench stepped up and kept it competitive against the league’s best team. Boston stayed in it until the final possession.
Friday brought a fresh injury report for Saturday’s game against Washington.
Boston Injury Report for Saturday
Tatum is available for Saturday’s game. He sat out against OKC after playing three consecutive games following his season debut last Friday. The rest day was planned. He’ll be back in the lineup against the Wizards.
White is listed as probable with a right knee contusion, and should be ready to play Saturday. Baylor Scheierman is also listed as probable despite rolling his ankle late in Thursday’s game. The injury happened near the end of the loss to Oklahoma City. He also appears ready to go.
The only Celtic expected to miss Saturday’s game is Vucevic. He’s been out since fracturing his right ring finger last Friday. Thursday marked his third straight absence. No timetable has been announced for his return.
Young Celtics Impressed Thursday
The Celtics played without three key rotation players Thursday. They still took the Thunder down to the wire. Oklahoma City has the league’s best record. Boston proved it can compete with anyone.
Hugo Gonzalez stood out in extended minutes. So did Scheierman. Ron Harper Jr. continues to show he deserves an NBA contract. The young players proved they belong.
Jaylen Brown carried the offense with 34 points, and praised the young players after the loss.
“We’ve just got some young wolves,” Brown said.
Pritchard echoed the sentiment when asked about the younger players stepping up.
“We’re not learning anything,” Pritchard said. “This is what they do.”
The performance showed Boston’s depth. Even without Tatum, White and Vucevic, the Celtics stayed competitive against the reigning champions.
GettyCeltics rookie Hugo Gonzalez is quietly turning into one of the biggest steals of the 2025 NBA Draft.
Boston Faces Struggling Wizards
Saturday’s matchup features two teams at on opposite spectrums. Boston holds the Eastern Conference’s second-best record at 43-23. Washington sits near the bottom at 15-51.
The Wizards have dropped 10 consecutive games. They gave up 83 points to Bam Adebayo in Tuesday’s loss to Miami.
Boston has dominated the season series. The Celtics won both previous meetings by wide margins. Saturday closes out the three-game series.
The Wizards will be missing several players. Anthony Davis hasn’t suited up for Washington this season. Kyshawn George is out with a left elbow sprain. Cam Whitmore remains sidelined with a right shoulder injury.
GettyJayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Final Word for the Celtics
The Celtics received good news on the injury front Friday. Jayson Tatum returns. Derrick White and Baylor Scheierman are both probable. Only Nikola Vucevic remains out.
Boston should be near full strength against a struggling Wizards team. The young players proved themselves Thursday against Oklahoma City. Saturday offers a chance to get back in the win column.
It’s Washington up next at TD Garden.
Keith Watkins Keith Watkins is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers. He previously wrote for FanSided, NBA Analysis Network, and Last Word On Sports. Keith is based in Bangkok, Thailand. More about Keith Watkins
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