If there’s any team that seems sorted in the East, at least in the recent past, it has to be the Boston Celtics. Sitting 2nd in the seed, having an impressive 59-21 record and a good 8-2 in the last 10 games, you will be confident of them picking the upcoming fixture too. The team has been running on a high with the ‘Jays’ – Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown – performing at the top gear, with the former averaging 27 points per game. So what is the worry? Yes, there is. They are coming to this game after a pathetic show against the Magic (77-96 in a losing cause). But the added worry? Are the ‘Jays’ playing?

But there is relief, too. It’s time for the second-best team in the East to take on the second-worst team this season. Yes, the Boston Celtics face the Charlotte Hornets next. A win for the Celtics will make them the third team this season to get past the 60-win mark. For the Hornets, a win over the reigning champions will be their 20th. Considering neither team has much left to play for, what will be on the line in this matchup is bragging rights. And we know the star duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown won’t be keen on giving that up.

Reminder: But are the two healthy enough to take on the Hornets tonight? Let’s have a quick look at the Celtics’ injury report to find the answer to that question.

Boston Celtics Injury Report – Will Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown play against the Charlotte Hornets?

Let’s cut to the chase. One of the big guns in Boston’s camp will not be available tonight against the Hornets. Though this should come as a healthy break before the big games land, but make no mistake, one slip and the entire championship run can end up with ‘we will come back strong’ consolation. You diehard Celtics fans reading this must know the pain, given the poor show Boston displayed the last day. But yes, it’s Jaylen Brown who’s on the injury report for the Celtics’ penultimate game of the season. But are there any more on the list?

He is the only player on the report. That means Jayson Tatum is healthy and AVAILABLE for tonight’s game. But what listed Brown out? The Celtics’ number 7 is OUT owing to a knee impingement. This is the same knee issue he’s been struggling with all season, causing him to miss 11 games. Sadly, being ruled out for the Hornets game means Jaylen is no longer eligible for the end-of-season awards since he won’t reach the 65-game minimum.

But Joe Mazzulla did give us an optimistic update. “He’s doing well. No one knows their body, no one knows how to push themselves, no one knows how to prepare themselves, body and mind, through the rigors of a season [like Jaylen Brown],” said Mazzulla on 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Zolak & Bertrand show on Thursday. He added, “I trust that he’ll be ready to go when it matters most.”

So Celtics fans, despite the cryptic nature of Mazzulla’s words, it seems Jaylen Brown will be back in time for the first round of the Playoffs for the Celtics.

But their opponents, the Charlotte Hornets, aren’t faring as well. Not only are they only one spot removed from being the bottom seed, but they also have a veritable laundry list of injured players. Most pressingly, two of the three highest-scoring players on their team are OUT. Namely, LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges. And that will affect the game heavily tonight. So let’s look at the Boston lineup and how they will come out against the injured Hornets.

Boston Celtics Depth Chart against the Hornets tonight

The Boston Celtics are gearing up to face the Charlotte Hornets in their den at TD Garden. With one of the key players, Jaylen Brown, sidelined due to injury, the Celtics are relying on a mix of seasoned veterans and emerging talent to maintain their momentum heading into the final stretch of the regular season. But the Boston’s depth and defensive prowess remain strong as they look to secure another win at home.

Here’s the expected starting lineup for the Celtics:

What stacks the odds even higher against the Hornets is their head-to-head record against Boston. In their last 10 meetings, the Celtics have beaten the Hornets 9 times. When you consider the last 20, that record only improves slightly to 16-4. If we were to play statistician, based on recent history, we’d say the Celtics have an 80-90% chance at beating the Hornets.

With this lineup, Boston is expected to walk out of the court with an easy win. Jayson Tatum will continue to be the focal point on offense, while the backcourt duo of White and Holiday anchors the team defensively. Despite Brown being away, the Celtics remain a formidable force and look poised for another deep playoff run.

But as basketball fans, we know one thing. Every game is different. And even though the deck is stacked against the Hornets, they may end up upsetting the 2024 NBA champions. How? We don’t know. But anything can happen in the NBA. So make sure you don’t miss this one!