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Derrick White Derrick White racks up eight âstocks' in Game 4
Mon, May 27, 2024, 10:03 PM
Derrick White amassed 16 points (7-of-14 FGs), four rebounds, four assists, five steals, three blocks, and two 3-pointers in 42 minutes in Monday's Game 4 win over Indiana.
Analysis: The Celtics completed their four-game sweep of the Eastern Conference Finals, once again being the team that executed better in crunch time. White's 3-pointer with 45 seconds remaining was the difference in Game 4, and he was highly productive across the board. Shooting 50% from the field, he was also responsible for a staggering eight âstocksâ in the series clincher. Boston also got a good night from Jrue Holiday, who added 17 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and two 3-pointers in 38 minutes. Boston has one of the best defensive backcourts in the NBA, and they'll be tested in the NBA Finals, especially if Dallas takes care of its business in the West. |
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Jayson Tatum Jayson Tatum posts 26/13/8/1 line in Game 4 win
Mon, May 27, 2024, 9:56 PM
Jayson Tatum played 44 minutes in Monday's 105-102 win over the Pacers, accumulating 26 points (11-of-26 FGs, 1-of-1 FTs), 13 rebounds, eight assists, one steal, and three 3-pointers.
Analysis: For the third time in four games, the Celtics made more plays than the Pacers in crunch time. Tatum's biggest play was a floater with 2:40 remaining that tied the game at 102. That would be the last scoring until Derrick White hit a three with 45 seconds remaining, and the Celtics would go on to close out the sweep. Tatum didn't have a great night shooting the basketball on Monday and committed five turnovers, but he was productive in the rebound and assist categories. Boston will get some welcome time off, as the NBA Finals will not begin until June 6. |
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Jaylen Brown Jaylen Brown wins MVP honors as Celtics sweep IND
Mon, May 27, 2024, 9:45 PM
Jaylen Brown finished Monday's 105-102 win over Indiana with 29 points (11-of-22 FGs, 3-of-6 FTs), six rebounds, two assists, three steals, one block, and four 3-pointers in 44 minutes.
Analysis: Boston completed its sweep of the Eastern Conference Finals on Monday, but three games were highly competitive. Close-out games are rarely easy, and the Celtics' stars led the way in Game 4. Brown tallied a game-high 29 points on 50% shooting while recording a full stat line. For the series, he averaged 29.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.0 steals, 0.8 blocks, and 2.5 3-pointers per game, shooting 51.7% from the field. Next up for Brown and the Celtics is the NBA Finals, which will not begin until June 6. |
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Luke Kornet Luke Kornet (wrist) available for Game 4 Monday
Mon, May 27, 2024, 5:35 PM
NBA Injury Report
Luke Kornet (left wrist sprain) is available for Monday's game against the Pacers.
Analysis: Kornet is back after missing Boston's Game 3 victory on Saturday, adding another frontcourt option off the bench. His return will mean fewer minutes for Oshae Brissett and Xavier Tillman, with at least one falling out of the rotation altogether. |
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Jrue Holiday Jrue Holiday (illness) available for Game 4 Monday
Mon, May 27, 2024, 5:32 PM
NBA Injury Report
Jrue Holiday (non-COVID illness) is available for Monday's game against the Pacers.
Analysis: As was the case with Game 3 on Saturday, Holiday is available after the Celtics listed him as questionable on the initial injury report. He will take on his usual duties as a starter alongside Derrick White. Holiday played 35 minutes in Game 3, making crucial plays on both ends of the floor to help Boston complete a comeback from 18 points down. |
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Luke Kornet Luke Kornet (wrist) questionable for Game 4 Monday
Sun, May 26, 2024, 5:05 PM
NBA Injury Report
Luke Kornet (left wrist sprain) is questionable for Monday's game against the Pacers.
Analysis: After injuring his wrist during Game 2, Kornet did not play in Game 3 on Saturday. Xavier Tillman and Oshae Brissett played 13 and nine minutes, respectively, not enough playing time to impact DFS tournaments. If Kornet is cleared, look for one (if not both) of them to fall out of the rotation. |
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Jrue Holiday Jrue Holiday (illness) questionable for Game 4
Sun, May 26, 2024, 5:03 PM
NBA Injury Report
Jrue Holiday (non-COVID illness) is questionable for Monday's game against the Pacers.
Analysis: Holiday was also questionable for Game 3 before being cleared to play. And he was highly impactful in the Celtics' comeback victory, making decisive plays on both ends of the floor in the final minute. Look for Holiday to be a game-time decision for Game 4, and it would be surprising if he does not play. |
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Kristaps Porzingis Kristaps Porzingis (calf) out for Game 4 Monday
Sun, May 26, 2024, 5:01 PM
NBA Injury Report
Kristaps Porzingis (right soleus strain) is out for Monday's game against the Pacers.
Analysis: While it was reported before the series that Porzingis could return as soon as Game 4, he will not be available on Monday. The combination of Boston leading the series 3-0 and Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton dealing with a hamstring injury likely bought Porzingis added time to recover. The NBA Finals will not start until June 6, so the Celtics taking care of business on Monday would buy KP additional time to get healthy. Al Horford will remain in the starting lineup. |
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Derrick White Derrick White blocks four shots in Game 3 victory
Sat, May 25, 2024, 10:32 PM
Derrick White shot 3-of-11 from the field and 5-of-6 from the foul line in Saturday's win over the Pacers, finishing with 13 points, five rebounds, seven assists, four blocks, and two 3-pointers in 35 minutes.
Analysis: Neither White nor Jrue Holiday (illness) shot the ball well in Game 3, but both came up big on the defensive end of the floor. While the latter was responsible for three steals, including one in the final seconds, the former racked up four blocked shots. White has accumulated six blocked shots and three steals for the series, more than making up for the inconsistent shooting. As for Holiday, he supplemented his three steals with 14 points, nine rebounds, three assists, one block, and one 3-pointer in 38 minutes. Boston will look to close out the series on Monday night. |
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Jaylen Brown Jaylen Brown tallies 24 points, full line Saturday
Sat, May 25, 2024, 10:25 PM
Jaylen Brown accumulated 24 points (10-of-18 FGs, 3-of-4 FTs), two rebounds, three assists, one steal, one block, and one 3-pointer in 37 minutes in Saturday's win over the Pacers.
Analysis: Boston now holds a 3-0 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals, as they erased an 18-point deficit on Saturday night. Brown and Jayson Tatum combined to score 60 points on 22-of-41 shooting from the field, and Al Horford chipped in with 23 points of his own. JB7 has proven to be a tough matchup for Indiana, as he's averaged 30.0 points per game on 52.3% shooting from the field in this series. Brown and the Celtics will look to close out the series on Monday. And based on Boston nearly climbing out of a 0-3 hole in last season's conference finals, they're unlikely to take their foot off the gas. |
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Al Horford Al Horford hits playoff career-high seven triples
Sat, May 25, 2024, 10:20 PM
Al Horford shot 8-of-14 from the field in Saturday's 114-111 win over Indiana, tallying 23 points, five rebounds, one steal, three blocks, and seven 3-pointers in 34 minutes.
Analysis: After scoring 21 points in the series' first two games, Horford was huge for the Celtics in Saturday's Game 3. He established a new career-high with seven 3-pointers, and the veteran big man was also responsible for three of the Celtics' 12 blocked shots. While it was reported before the series began that Kristaps Porzingis (right soleus strain) could return in time for Game 4, the Celtics' 3-0 lead may influence the team's thinking. And if the Unicorn cannot play on Monday, Boston has a more than suitable option to rely upon in Horford. |
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Jayson Tatum Jayson Tatum records 36/10/8/1/2 line in Game 3
Sat, May 25, 2024, 10:13 PM
Jayson Tatum played 44 minutes in Saturday's 114-111 win over the Pacers, accumulating 36 points (12-of-23 FGs, 7-of-11 FTs), 10 rebounds, eight assists, one steal, two blocks, and five 3-pointers.
Analysis: Tatum was outstanding in Game 3, as the Celtics rallied back from 18 down to take a commanding 3-0 series lead. He's scored 36 points in two of the series' first three games, but Saturday's effort was the first this postseason in which Tatum also shot at least 50% from the field. Boston will look to close out the series on Monday night, and the Pacers could once again be without Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring). |
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Jrue Holiday Jrue Holiday (illness) available for Game 3 Sunday
Sat, May 25, 2024, 6:54 PM
Boston Celtics on Twitter
Jrue Holiday (non-COVID illness) is available for Sunday's game against the Pacers.
Analysis: Holiday made it through his pregame workout without issue, so he will play in Game 3. With the Pacers not having Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring), the Celtics are well-positioned to strengthen their grip on the series. Boston will have its usual starting five as they look to take a 3-0 series lead. |
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Luke Kornet Luke Kornet (wrist) ruled out for Game 3 Saturday
Sat, May 25, 2024, 5:36 PM
NBA Injury Report
Luke Kornet (left wrist sprain) is out against the Pacers on Saturday.
Analysis: Injured during the first half of Boston's Game 2 victory on Thursday, Kornet will not play on Saturday. Oshae Brissett may enter the rotation for a few minutes, but he's unlikely to play enough to merit DFS consideration. |
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Jrue Holiday Jrue Holiday (illness) questionable Saturday
Sat, May 25, 2024, 12:04 PM
NBA Injury Report
Jrue Holiday is questionable for Saturday's matchup with Indiana due to a non-COVID illness.
Analysis: Kristaps Porzingis has already been ruled out, so if Holiday is absent for Game 3, the Celtics will be down two starters. Boston holds a 2-0 series lead, but Indiana is undefeated at home in this season's playoffs. Holiday has been big through the first two games of the Eastern Conference Finals, sporting averages of 21.5 points and 9.0 assists. Derrick White would presumably start at PG in Holiday's place, while one of Payton Pritchard or Sam Hauser would join the starting five alongside Al Horford, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. |
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Luke Kornet Luke Kornet (wrist) doubtful for Game 3 Saturday
Fri, May 24, 2024, 4:13 PM
Boston Celtics on Twitter
Luke Kornet (left wrist sprain) is doubtful for Saturday's game against the Pacers.
Analysis: Kornet injured his wrist during the first half of Boston's Game 2 victory on Thursday and did not return. Oshae Brissett picked up rotation minutes in his absence but is unlikely to play enough to impact DFS tournaments if Kornet cannot play on Saturday. |
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Derrick White Derrick White turns in 23/4/6/1/1 line in Game 2
Thu, May 23, 2024, 10:34 PM
Derrick White posted a full line on Thursday with 23 points (8-of-15 FGs), four rebounds, six assists, one steal, one block and four 3-pointers against Indiana.
Analysis: White came alive in the second half of this game and had 17 points on 7-of-8 shooting after halftime, which resulted in a full stat line for him. White was phenomenal against Miami, but he struggled for most of the Cleveland series and in Game 1 against the Pacers. However, if this second half performance can spark something for him, they shouldn't have any issues advancing to the NBA Finals. Jayson Tatum also joined White in scoring exactly 23 points, and they'll look to keep the offense up in Game 3 in Indiana on Saturday. |
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Jrue Holiday Jrue Holiday records double-double in Game 2 win
Thu, May 23, 2024, 9:54 PM
Jrue Holiday recorded a double-double on Thursday with 15 points (6-of-7 FGs), three rebounds, 10 assists and three triples against the Pacers in Game 2.
Analysis: Holiday did most of his work in the first half of this game, but after being relatively quiet through the first two rounds, he turned in his second straight excellent performance. After having his highest scoring game of the playoffs in Game 1, Holiday followed that up with his first double-double of this postseason. That helped them take a 2-0 lead in this series, which leaves them two wins away from the NBA Finals. This is the player that Boston traded for this summer that they hoped would put them over the edge. If he continues to play to this level, it just might work out. |
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Jaylen Brown Jaylen Brown drops 40 in Game 2 win over Indiana
Thu, May 23, 2024, 9:47 PM
Jaylen Brown led Boston with 40 points (14-of-27 FGs, 8-of-11 FTs), five rebounds, two assists, one steal and four 3-pointers in a 126-110 win over Indiana in Game 2 on Thursday.
Analysis: Brown obviously felt like he deserved to be on an All-NBA team, and he made sure to let the league know that he felt disrespected. He got off to a hot start and scored 24 points before halftime and went on to have his highest scoring game of this postseason. He made the All-NBA second team last season, and he did receive 50 third place votes this year, which made him the last name off the ballot. His performance was huge in helping them win Game 2, which was something they didn't do in the first two rounds of this postseason. He'll look to keep it going in Game 3 on Saturday as the series shifts to Indiana. |
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Luke Kornet Luke Kornet (wrist) questionable to return Thurs.
Thu, May 23, 2024, 8:50 PM
Tim Bontemps on X
Luke Kornet (left wrist sprain) is questionable to return to Game 2 against the Pacers on Thursday.
Analysis: Kornet exited before halftime with this wrist issue and may be sidelined for at least the remainder of the game. Oshae Brissett has already filled out some minutes in his place, and he has played well. He won't contribute much statistically, but he appears to be the replacement for Kornet. |
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