For Sunday’s heavyweight matchup between the Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets, both teams will have to do without a few key players. As this game carries the last two NBA champions, injuries could make the final score of the game at TD Garden.

For Denver, the biggest question mark is Aaron Gordon, whose status remains uncertain after missing Friday’s game with a left ankle sprain. On the Celtics’ side, three starters appear on the injury report, making this matchup even more unpredictable.

Injury report: will Aaron Gordon play?

The Nuggets officially listed Aaron Gordon as questionable after he suffered an ankle sprain in Thursday’s win over the Milwaukee Bucks. The injury kept him out of Friday’s victory against the Detroit Pistons, and with a quick turnaround for Sunday’s game, Denver may opt to be cautious with his return. Gordon’s defensive versatility and ability to guard multiple positions would be a crucial factor against a Celtics team featuring Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

Alongside Gordon, Zeke Nnaji is also questionable with a left ankle sprain. Unlike Gordon, Nnaji played 21 minutes against Detroit, suggesting his injury may be a minor one. However, with Peyton Watson (knee), Vlatko Cancar (knee), and DaRon Holmes (Achilles) all out, Denver’s frontcourt depth is already limited.

Boston, meanwhile, has Kristaps Porzingis (illness) and Jrue Holiday (mallet finger) both listed as doubtful, meaning they are unlikely to play. Jaylen Brown is questionable due to right knee pain, a new issue that wasn’t present earlier in the week. Brown played through a left thigh contusion in Friday’s loss to Cleveland, but the knee problem could impact his availability.

Can Denver exploit Boston’s short-handed lineup?

If Gordon even plays, he won’t be at full strength and that leaves Nikola Jokic and Michael Porter Jr. shouldering a greater share of the load. Over the past 20 games, Jokic has been sensational with 26.6 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 11.5 assists. Denver has also benefited from the scoring output of Jamal Murray (22.8 PPG) and the emergence of Christian Braun (17.6 PPG).

On the other hand, Boston has now lost two games in a row for the second time this season. A big early lead and their last defeat to Cleveland also give cause for concern about how they close games out. In a game that could see a test of their depth, the Celtics will have to rely on Derrick White, Sam Hauser, and Payton Pritchard, among others, to surge during Tatum’s heavy workload.