Jayson Tatum Sidelined for Celtics’ Second-to-Last Regular Season Game

The Boston Celtics will be without Jayson Tatum for Friday’s matchup at TD Garden. The game is the team’s second-to-last regular season contest at home before the playoffs.

Game context and playoff stakes

Boston enters the night at 54-26. New Orleans is 26-54. A win over the Pelicans would likely secure the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics can also clinch the spot if the New York Knicks lose to Toronto.

The first round of the playoffs is scheduled to begin on April 18. Tipoff Friday is set for 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time at TD Garden.

Injury report and roster availability

Head coach Joe Mazzulla confirmed that Jayson Tatum is ruled out. The club listed him out for injury management related to his right Achilles repair.

Jaylen Brown was marked questionable while managing left Achilles tendinitis. Mazzulla said Brown will be available for the game.

Other starters

• Sam Hauser — probable with a low back spasm.
• Neemias Queta — probable with a right toe sprain.
• Derrick White — probable with a right knee contusion.

Mazzulla indicated all three probable starters will be available Friday.

Jayson Tatum status and recent usage

Since returning on March 6, Tatum has appeared in 16 games. He has played at least 30 minutes in each of his last 13 outings.

Friday’s absence is his third managed rest game since that return. His last time missing action was March 30 against Atlanta.

In Thursday’s 112-106 loss to the Knicks, Tatum logged his season-high 39 minutes but shot 7-for-22. He finished two assists shy of a triple-double in that contest.

Jaylen Brown’s form

Brown missed Thursday and had previously sat out consecutive games on March 27 and 29 when the Achilles issue first surfaced. He will be listed as available Friday.

In the five games played since his injury became public, Brown has produced 31.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. He has been a primary offensive leader while Tatum has missed time.

What this means for Boston

With injuries impacting the starting five, the Celtics are managing minutes ahead of the postseason. Resting key players on a second night of a back-to-back is a likely strategy.

Filmogaz.com will monitor updates and lineup confirmations as the Celtics finalize rotations before Friday’s tipoff.