On Saturday, two of the league’s hottest teams will collide in a showdown packed with star power. The Boston Celtics, sitting at second in the East, will host the second-seeded Lakers from the West in what promises to be a must-watch battle.

Boston comes in with momentum, having won three straight, and they’ll be looking to defend their home court at TD Garden. But the Lakers? They’re rolling on an eight-game winning streak, making them one of the most dangerous teams in the league right now.

With talent stacked on both sides, the question remains—who will come out on top in this heavyweight clash?

The Celtics have been playing it smart, resting key players during their recent back-to-back games to stay fresh for this marquee showdown. Head coach Joe Mazzulla knew how big this matchup would be, and he wanted his squad ready.

But even with that precaution, Boston isn’t at full strength. Injuries have taken a toll, and some of their biggest names remain question marks. The most notable absences? Jaylen Brown and Jrue Holiday. Their availability could be a game-changer, but as of now, it’s still unclear whether they’ll suit up tonight.

So, will the Celtics be at full force, or will they have to take on the red-hot Lakers shorthanded?

Boston Celtics injury report ahead of a massive clash against the LA Lakers

The Celtics are out for redemption after their last showdown with the Lakers ended in embarrassment. Boston got steamrolled by 19 points in that matchup, and if they want to flip the script this time, they’ll need all hands on deck.

The good news? Jaylen Brown is back. After battling knee issues in recent weeks, the star guard is set to take the floor tonight. And that’s huge for Boston—Brown has been stellar this season, averaging 23.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 4.8 assists. His presence alone gives the Celtics a much better shot at evening the score. But Brown isn’t the only injury concern. Jrue Holiday, who has missed time with lingering issues, has been upgraded to questionable for tonight’s matchup. Whether he plays or not is still up in the air, but if the Celtics want to take down the surging Lakers, having both stars available could make all the difference.

Holiday has been suffering from a finger injury and not having him will be unfortunate for the Celtics. Well, Boston’s sufferings don’t end here! Their big man, Kristaps Porzingis is also questionable due to a non-COVID-related illness. The 29-year-old is a key player for Boston and not having him might be a massive blow for the team. He thrives against LA, he averages 20.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists while playing against them.

Not only superstars but Boston will be without key rotation player Sam Hauser. The small forward has been a regular feature for Boston helping the team whenever needed. However, he’s listed as probable for the matchup due to an ankle injury. Lastly, forward Drew Peterson is on day-to-day for unknown reasons. Piling up on the Celtics’ misery. This brings us to one question: How will the Celtics fare without several of their key players?

How will the Boston Celtics lineup amid Jrue Holiday’s fitness concerns?

Boston’s young head coach, Joe Mazzulla, has some big decisions to make as the Celtics prepare to take on a red-hot Lakers squad. With Jrue Holiday listed as questionable, he may have to shuffle his starting lineup and adjust his game plan on the fly.
Beyond the rotation changes, the pressure will be on Boston’s superstar duo—Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum—to shoulder the offensive load. The Lakers’ defense has been sharp, and without Kristaps Porzingis in the mix, the Celtics will have even more gaps to fill.
Missing a key piece like Porzingis only adds to the challenge, leaving plenty of questions about how Boston will hold up against a Lakers team firing on all cylinders.

So, here is how the Celtics can start:

Ultimately, this should be a great matchup against two in-form teams. However, given their recent form and utter dominance on the court, the Lakers will have the upper hand, especially if they have both LeBron James and Luka Doncic on the court. But, you cannot write-off the defending champions. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum despite the injuries to their teammates are more than capable of winning any game on a given night. So, everyone waits eagerly to watch this contest tonight.