The Boston Celtics delivered a major injury announcement just hours before Friday night’s matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum, providing a significant boost to their title hopes as they push for a 52nd win this season.
According to the NBA’s official injury report released on April 3, the Celtics will have only one player sidelined for the game. This remarkably clean injury slate comes as Boston aims to surpass preseason expectations, with experts originally projecting the team to finish with just 43 or 44 wins following Jayson Tatum’s prolonged absence.
Tatum, a four-time All-NBA First Team selection, missed the first 62 games of the season while recovering from surgery to repair a torn right Achilles tendon sustained in last year’s playoffs. Since returning on March 6, the Celtics star has missed just two games — both for rest — and has looked dominant in his limited appearances.
Tatum is confirmed to play on Friday and will be looking to extend his streak of four consecutive games with at least 25 points. His impact has been immediate and unprecedented: Boston is 10-2 with him in the lineup, boasting a stellar +10.0 net rating during his minutes on the court.
Bucks Reveal Devastating Injury Report
In stark contrast, the injury-plagued Milwaukee Bucks head into the contest severely shorthanded. Star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo remains sidelined with a left knee hyperextension and bone bruise, missing his 10th straight game and his 26th of the team’s last 32 contests.
Here is the full injury report for both teams ahead of Friday’s game:
Boston Celtics
- Nikola Vucevic – Out (Right Ring Finger Fracture)
Milwaukee Bucks
- Giannis Antetokounmpo – Out (Left Knee Hyperextension; Bone Bruise)
- Thanasis Antetokounmpo – Questionable (Left Calf Strain)
- Kevin Porter Jr. – Out (Right Knee Synovitis)
- Bobby Portis – Out (Left Wrist Sprain)
- Ryan Rollins – Probable (Right Hip Strain)
- Jericho Sims – Probable (Right Patella Tendinopathy)
- Gary Trent Jr. – Questionable (Left Hip Pointer)
With such a lopsided injury situation, it is no surprise that the Celtics enter the road game as massive favorites, listed at -17.5 points by oddsmakers.
Tatum’s Performance Since Return is Unprecedented
Since making his season debut, Tatum has already recorded a triple-double (25 points, 11 assists, 18 rebounds against the Miami Heat on April 1), multiple double-doubles, and several standout performances. He was recently named Eastern Conference Player of the Week after averaging 25.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game.
The Celtics have won seven of the 12 games Tatum has played by double digits, including a 10-point victory over the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder. His return has transformed Boston’s outlook, turning a season that once looked lost into one where they are firmly in contention.
As the Celtics prepare to face a depleted Bucks squad, they remain on track for their fourth straight season with at least 52 wins — a remarkable achievement given the early challenges.