Tuesday night marks the Utah Jazz’s return to play as they host the top-seeded Boston Celtics in the league. Will Hardy’s club will get a chance at redemption after losing their last two games, although against one of the best teams in the NBA.
The Jazz haven’t had the best season since after the All-Star break. They have now lost fourteen of their last sixteen games and are currently down in the Western Conference standings and out of the Play-In round. Although it is encouraging for their top-ten protected pick’s chances this summer, the actual product has seen better days.
A few players on either side may eventually not see the court before tonight’s action. Prior to their game on Tuesday, the Celtics and Jazz both released their injury reports:
Utah Jazz: Due to a hamstring injury, Lauri Markkanen is out.
The Taylor Hendricks toe is out.
Boston Celtics: QUESTIONABLE (hamstring) Kristaps Porzingis
QUESTIONABLE: Jrue Holiday (knee)
Al Horford: QUESTIONABLE (managing injuries)
Svi Mykhailiuk: QUESTIONABLE due to private matters
Lauri Markkanen is sidelined with a quadriceps injury, while Taylor Hendricks is recovering from a broken big toe, thus the Jazz will be without both players once more. With the addition of Darius Bazley and Kenneth Lofton Jr. to their forward depth, Utah may have signaled what lay ahead for the two inactive players for the remainder of the season.
Regarding the Celtics, there is a good chance that their starting five for Tuesday will be uncertain. Two important players with dubious statuses are Porzingis and Holiday; Al Horford’s status is also unclear. We should have a better idea of this Boston team’s makeup as we approach tip-off in their quest to continue their winning streak against the Jazz.
