The Celtics’ first injury report of the season brought more relief than alarm.
As Boston gets ready for Tuesday’s opener against the Detroit Pistons, the team is nearly at full strength. That matters for Joe Mazzulla, because it means the Celtics can start sorting out their new-look roster with most of the pieces actually on hand.
The only name on the out list is Devin Carter, whose mononucleosis is expected to keep the recently signed two-way guard sidelined for several weeks. For Carter, it’s an untimely setback in a new environment. For everyone else in Boston, the picture is much cleaner.
Jayson Tatum is back after recovering from the Achilles injury he suffered during the 2025 playoffs. Paul George arrived in the offseason trade that sent Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia, and Mitchell Robinson joined the frontcourt after his time with the New York Knicks. Derrick White is still a central figure in the backcourt, giving the Celtics a familiar presence amid the changes.
That mix is going to take time to sort out. Tatum and George can both score, but building rhythm around them means figuring out possession sharing, defensive responsibilities and where each player is most comfortable operating. Robinson changes the feel around the basket, too, and that can ripple through how Boston organizes its offense.
Still, the Celtics are at least starting this process with options. Boston went 4-0 in the preseason, including an overtime win over Philadelphia in which most of the regulars were held out. The record itself doesn’t tell the whole story, but it did give the staff a useful runway without an opening-night injury mess.
Detroit adds another layer to the challenge. The Pistons went 60-22 last season, had the best record in the Eastern Conference and took three of four regular-season games from Boston. Cade Cunningham remains the focal point for a team that expects to be near the top again, and Detroit’s physical style should test the Celtics’ new combinations right away.
The game is set for 3 p.m. ET at Little Caesars Arena and will be shown on NBC and Peacock. Mazzulla now has choices to make with rotations and minutes, but having most of the roster available means those decisions can be based on performance instead of desperation.
Carter’s injury is still worth watching because it delays his chance to push for a role. For the Celtics, though, Tuesday offers something they didn’t have to open the year with uncertainty hanging over everything: a chance to find out how this group works against a 60-win opponent with a mostly healthy roster.
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Kendrick Perkins Just Turned Up The Pressure On The Celtics
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Celtics Already Have A Starting Lineup Debate After Opening Loss
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There is already a case to be made for one of those shooters moving into the starting five to help create more spacing early in games, especially if the Celtics want a cleaner offensive rhythm out of the gate. The tougher part is figuring out who comes out to make room, and that decision will say plenty about how Boston wants to balance defense, energy and shot-making in the games ahead. [Read more 🡒]