Celtics Could Be Without Pritchard in Saturday’s Matchup vs. Hawks, as Injuries and Roster Shifts Shape Both Teams
As the Celtics prepare to take on the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday night, they may be doing so without one of their key rotation players. Payton Pritchard is listed as doubtful with left ankle soreness - and if he sits, it’ll mark his first missed game of the season. That’s a notable development for a Boston team that’s leaned on its depth all year.
Pritchard didn’t look quite like himself in Thursday’s come-from-behind win over the Miami Heat. He finished with just two points and didn’t see the floor in the fourth quarter.
That final frame belonged to Anfernee Simons, who erupted for a season-high 39 points - 18 of them coming in the fourth - as he carried the Celtics across the finish line. Whether Pritchard’s ankle played a role in his limited minutes or head coach Joe Mazzulla simply rode the hot hand, the Celtics now face the possibility of being without one of their most reliable guards.
Boston’s injury list doesn’t stop there. Josh Minott remains sidelined with a left ankle sprain - he’ll miss his seventh straight game - and Jayson Tatum continues to recover from a ruptured Achilles tendon, a major blow to the Celtics’ offensive firepower and leadership on the floor.
On the other side, the Hawks are dealing with their own significant injury issues. Kristaps Porzingis, now wearing Atlanta colors after his time in Boston, is out with left Achilles tendonitis.
Zaccharie Risacher is also unavailable due to a left knee bone contusion, and N’Faly Dante remains out with a right ACL tear. Dyson Daniels is questionable with a right ankle sprain, further clouding the Hawks’ backcourt rotation.
Hawks Still Searching for Consistency
It’s been a rocky ride for the Hawks this season. Sitting at 20-23, they currently occupy the 10th spot in the Eastern Conference - technically in the play-in picture, but far from where they hoped to be at this stage.
Statistically, Atlanta has hovered around the middle of the pack: 19th in offensive rating, 16th in defensive rating, and 18th in net rating. In short, they’ve been just average - and in a competitive East, average doesn’t get you very far.
The franchise made a major shakeup last week, parting ways with longtime centerpiece Trae Young in a blockbuster trade that brought in CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert from the Wizards. It’s a bold move, signaling a shift in direction and perhaps an attempt to recalibrate the team’s identity on both ends of the floor.
Injuries have also played a role in Atlanta’s inconsistency. Porzingis has only suited up for 17 of the team’s 43 games this season, dealing with POTS and other ailments. When he’s played, he’s been productive - averaging 17.1 points and 5.1 rebounds - but availability has been the issue.
Still, there are some bright spots. Jalen Johnson has emerged as one of the league’s breakout stars, putting up All-Star caliber numbers: 23.1 points, 10.1 boards, and 8.1 assists per game.
He’s been the engine of the Hawks’ offense and a steadying presence in an otherwise turbulent season. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, acquired in the offseason, has also stepped up, averaging 20.5 points and 3.5 assists.
One odd trend? The Hawks have been better on the road than at home.
They’re just 7-11 at State Farm Arena but a respectable 13-12 on the road. That’s something to keep an eye on as they host a Celtics team that’s been strong regardless of venue - Boston is 15-4 at home and 13-6 on the road.
Celtics Finding Their Groove Despite Injuries
Despite being short-handed, Boston has found ways to win. Their victory over the Heat pushed their net rating to +7.1 - second-best in the league - and they now own the NBA’s second-highest offensive rating at 121.5. Defensively, they’re middle of the pack at 15th, but the overall picture remains strong: the Celtics hold the second-best record in the Eastern Conference at 25-15.
With Tatum out and Pritchard potentially joining him on the sidelines, the Celtics will once again need to lean on their depth. Simons’ explosive scoring, combined with steady contributions from the supporting cast, has kept them afloat. And with the Hawks still adjusting to life post-Trae Young, Saturday’s matchup could come down to which team better handles the current state of flux.
One thing’s for sure - both squads are navigating their share of adversity. For Boston, it’s about maintaining momentum and staying in the hunt for the top seed in the East. For Atlanta, it’s about finding cohesion in a season that’s been anything but stable.