The Celtics will be without Mitchell Robinson when they face the Orlando Magic. Robinson will rest on the front end of a back-to-back, the Celtics’ second of the season. So far this season, Robinson has averaged 6.6 points and 4.6 rebounds in 20 minutes per game.
The rest of the roster, except two-way player Devin Carter, is fully available. Carter continues to deal with an illness, though he is now around the team after being away to start the season.
Robinson typically did not play in both nights
of back-to-backs as a member of the New York Knicks, but in an interview with Knicks Fan TV earlier this month, he made clear that would not be the case in Boston.
”It ain’t going to be the same in Boston [as it was with the Knicks]. I’ll be able to play back-to-backs,” Robinson said. “I’m very excited for that; it’s been a long time coming. Now I can go out there and play basketball, just go out there with a free mind and just hoop.”
The Celtics are 4-1 entering Sunday’s game, while the Magic are 2-3, with wins over the New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors and losses to the Atlanta Hawks, Minnesota Timberwolves, and the Raptors.
Boston has won four straight since losing the season opener, beating the Knicks, Chicago Bulls (twice), and Brooklyn Nets.
The Magic will be without several key players
Paolo Banchero suffered a high ankle sprain in the second game of the season, while Jalen Suggs suffered a right knee contusion in the third. Jonathan Isaac is out with left knee injury management.
Franz Wagner has led the Magic, averaging 20.8 points, 7 assists, and 6.8 rebounds per game. Desmond Bane, acquired last offseason, averages 17.2 points, 4 rebounds, and 2.8 assists. Wendell Carter Jr. is having a career season so far, averaging 14.8 points and 8.6 rebounds.
And in the wake of injuries, Anthony Black and Jase Richardson have slotted into the starting lineup, with Jamal Cain and Tristan da Silva playing key minutes off the bench.
Neemias Queta is likely to get the start for Boston
The Celtics have started Derrick White, Jordan Walsh, Paul George, Jayson Tatum, and Robinson every game so far this season. With Robinson out, Neemias Queta will likely slot into the starting lineup, and Luka Garza will see more minutes off the bench.
Queta is averaging 9 points and 4.8 rebounds in 19.8 minutes per game for the Celtics so far. Garza is averaging 4.6 points and 2.2 rebounds in 8.8 minutes per game.
The Celtics may rest players for Monday’s game against the Houston Rockets, but the entire rotation played in both games when the team last had a back-to-back.
Celtics-Magic tips off at 3:30pm ET at the Kia Center in Orlando.
