Celtics Look to Rebound Against Heat as Injury Report Offers Encouraging News
The Boston Celtics are back under the lights at TD Garden on Friday night, hoping to snap a two-game skid as they welcome the Miami Heat. After a stretch where they won seven of eight - largely against playoff-caliber opponents - Boston hit a bit of a lull.
A lighter schedule, with just two games in a 12-day span, gave the team a chance to rest, but it also seemed to throw off their rhythm. Now, they’re looking to recalibrate against a tough, physical Miami front line.
Recent Struggles: A Tale of Two Losses
Boston’s recent losses came in very different flavors. Against the Milwaukee Bucks, the Celtics looked like two different teams in each half - sharp and competitive early, then flat and outpaced down the stretch.
That inconsistency carried over into their surprising loss to the Detroit Pistons, where unforced errors were the story. Turnovers and second-chance points proved costly, and despite opportunities to pull away, the Celtics couldn’t get out of their own way.
But perhaps the most worrying moment from that Pistons game wasn’t on the scoreboard - it was Sam Hauser limping to the locker room.
Hauser’s Status: Signs Pointing Up
Hauser, a key floor-spacer and one of Boston’s most reliable perimeter threats, rolled his ankle in the first half and didn’t return. For a team that shot just 10-of-39 from deep against Detroit - a frigid 26 percent - his absence was more than noticeable.
The good news? Hauser was spotted getting shots up at the Auerbach Center just two days later.
That’s a promising sign for the Celtics, and sure enough, he’s listed as probable for Friday’s matchup with the Heat due to a left ankle sprain. If he’s good to go, it could be a much-needed boost to a Boston offense that thrives when the floor is spaced and the ball is moving.
Minott’s Role and Availability
Joining Hauser on the injury report is Josh Minott, who’s dealing with lower back spasms. Like Hauser, he’s also listed as probable.
While Minott isn’t a headline name, his role has grown in importance, especially in Boston’s small-ball lineups. With Neemias Queta often rotating out, Minott’s athleticism and defensive versatility have become valuable commodities - especially against a Miami team that brings size and physicality in the frontcourt.
Bam Adebayo and rookie seven-footer Kel’el Ware give the Heat a dynamic one-two punch inside. Both are capable of anchoring the paint on their own, but together, they present a serious challenge for smaller lineups. Having Minott available gives Boston a bit more flexibility in how they match up defensively.
Tatum Watch: The Comeback Trail
The most intriguing name on Boston’s injury report remains Jayson Tatum. The six-time All-Star is still recovering from a torn Achilles tendon - a devastating injury with a notoriously long recovery timeline. But there’s a quiet optimism building around his potential return.
Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens addressed the situation in a rare midweek media session, offering a measured but hopeful tone. While stressing the importance of caution, Stevens didn’t close the door on a possible return this season. That’s not nothing - especially when it comes to a player of Tatum’s caliber.
Looking Ahead
Friday night’s matchup against Miami is more than just a chance to get back in the win column - it’s a measuring stick. The Heat are a physical, disciplined team that tests your toughness on both ends. For the Celtics, it’s an opportunity to shake off the rust, reestablish their identity, and hopefully get some key contributors back in the mix.
With Hauser and Minott trending toward playing and the Tatum situation becoming more encouraging, Boston is inching closer to full strength. Now it’s just about putting it all together - and doing it against a team that won’t make it easy.