The Boston Celtics and the Charlotte Hornets will meet for the second time in three days on Monday, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
LaMelo Ball READY and Gordon Hayward OUT for Hornets – Celtics
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- Injury Update for the Hornets
Hayward is questionable to play against the Celtics on Monday due to a hamstring injury.
With a seventh game missed in a row expected on Monday, Hayward’s hamstring injury has kept him out of action for six straight games. Hayward’s absence is expected to keep Jalen McDaniels in the starting lineup, as Kelly Oubre (hand) is still out.
| PLAYER | POSITION | UPDATED | INJURY | INJURY STATUS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gordon Hayward | SF | Sun, Jan 15 | Hamstring | Game Time Decision |
| Kelly Oubre Jr. | SG | Tue, Jan 3 | Hand | Expected to be out until at least Feb 8 |
In light of the fact that they were missing two starters from last year’s team—including all-star LaMelo Ball—the Charlotte Hornets’ strong start to the season has surprised some.
A slew of new injuries has made it difficult for the club to find a rhythm, despite the return of Ball. The Hornets’ loss on Saturday night dropped them to the second worst record in the NBA.
In the loss, Ball led the Hornets with 31 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds.
Terry Rozier scored 21 points, but the Hornets still fell short, making it seven straight defeats in a row. However, the Celtics’ bench outscored the Hornets’ 45-22 in the defeat.
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- Injury Update for the Celtics
| PLAYER | POSITION | UPDATED | INJURY | INJURY STATUS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaylen Brown | SF | Sun, Jan 15 | Groin | Expected to be out until at least Jan 19 |
| Derrick White | SG | Sun, Jan 15 | Neck | Game Time Decision |
| Danilo Gallinari | PF | Thu, Sep 8 | Knee | Expected to be out until at least Apr 15 |
After a brief skid that saw them fall from the top spot in the NBA, the Celtics come into this rematch with the Hornets riding high, having won 10 of their last 12 games.
Saturday night’s 122-106 victory in Charlotte increased the Celtics’ winning streak to six games. Eventually, Boston found their rhythm and rallied from 16 points down to pull out the victory.
Despite playing without Jaylen Brown (still out with an abductor injury) and Derrick White (who suffered an early neck injury and did not return), the Celtics were able to pull out a victory.
Jayson Tatum, who finished with a game-high 33 points, had 17 of them in the third quarter when the Celtics came back.
With Brown and White out, Malcolm Brogdon stepped up with 30 points to spark the offense. Boston made 19 threes in the win, an NBA record.
