The Boston Celtics are 5-2., but Wednesday night brings a real test. Jayson Tatum and Payton Pritchard both face questionable status for the game against the Milwaukee Bucks. Tatum is listed as questionable specifically due to rest, according to Yahoo Sports. This is a bold move by the front office during a grueling stretch of eight games in 13 days. Pritchard deals with a right shoulder contusion that flared up after the team played two nights in a row against Orlando and Houston. If the team sits its stars, the lineup could shift fast.
A Star Sitting for Rest
It feels risky to rest Tatum when the team sits third in the Eastern Conference. He has played in all seven games so far this season and leads the squad with 27 points per contest. His shooting numbers are a bit low at 41.8 percent from the floor and just 22.9 percent from three-point range. Yet he adds 7.9 assists and six rebounds to go with his scoring. Per Yahoo Sports, Tatum has fully recovered from his torn Achilles tendon that sidelined him for most of last year. The team wants to keep him fresh for the long haul, but losing his production on Wednesday night could cost them the win against a Bucks team that is struggling at 1-6.
If Tatum sits, the Celtics might start Baylor Scheierman again. On Sunday, with Paul George resting, Scheierman secured his initial start of the season. Sam Hauser and Jordan Walsh might also be considered to plug that gap. The rotation changes based on who is healthy, and the staff has already shown they will rest veterans like Mitchell Robinson and Paul George during this busy November schedule. Robinson returned to finish the game against the Rockets after leaving early with a thumb sprain, but his health remains a factor.
Pritchard’s Shoulder and Bench Depth
Pritchard’s injury is the bigger worry because it is new. He was not on the injury report before Wednesday, but now he carries a right shoulder strain. He has played every game this season but struggles to find his rhythm, shooting 31 percent from beyond the arc. His 13.4 points per game come with 3.4 assists and three rebounds. If Pritchard cannot go, Mike Conley or Ron Harper Jr. might see more time. So far, neither has been included in the standard rotation much. The team also has Devin Carter out due to mononucleosis. Carter signed a two-way contract after being waived by the Atlanta Hawks and has yet to make his regular season debut.
The Celtics face a tough schedule ahead with four road games after this matchup. They play the Charlotte Hornets on November 6, the Bucks again on November 8, the Philadelphia 76ers on November 10, and the Toronto Raptors on November 11. Tyler Herro leads the Bucks with 21.9 points and 4 assists per game in their post-Giannis Antetokounmpo era. Jaime Jaquez Jr. adds 16.6 points and 7.3 rebounds. The Celtics cannot afford to lose focus when their own stars are sidelined. The game tips off at 7:30 p.m. ET at TD Garden.
