The Boston Celtics just received a brutal reality check right before the All-Star break.
Despite Jayson Tatum ramping up his on-court work and beginning full 5-on-5 sessions this week, he remains OFFICIALLY OUT for Wednesday night’s matchup against the Chicago Bulls. The latest official injury report confirms Tatum is still not ready, with a projected return now pushed toward early March.
That’s the bombshell. After weeks of growing optimism, the Celtics will head into their final game before the break without their franchise cornerstone — again.
The bad news doesn’t stop there.
Sam Hauser is probable with continued low back spasms, and Neemias Queta is also probable after tweaking his right ankle in Sunday’s win over the Knicks. Both players have been massive for Boston’s depth this season, and their potential absences would force even more improvisation from head coach Joe Mazzulla.
Meanwhile, the player Boston just traded away is coming home with a vengeance.
Anfernee Simons returns to TD Garden for the first time since the deal that sent him to Chicago for Nikola Vucevic. In just three games with the Bulls, Simons has exploded for 20.0 points, 5.3 assists, and 48.9% shooting in 32.7 minutes per night — a massive upgrade from his 14.2 PPG and 24.5 MPG with the Celtics.
The Celtics could counter by starting Vucevic alongside Kristaps Porzingis (or Queta, if available) to exploit Chicago’s frontcourt injuries. The Bulls will be severely shorthanded, as Josh Giddey, Tre Jones, and Jalen Smith are all listed as doubtful, while Zach Collins and Noa Essengue are out.
This game is loaded with storylines: a revenge game for Simons, Vucevic facing his former team, and a Celtics squad licking its wounds as it limps toward the break.
Boston was hoping to send a strong message before the All-Star festivities. Instead, they got hit with the worst possible news at the worst possible time.