Will Kristaps Porzingis & Jaylen Brown Play Tonight vs Bulls? Celtics Injury Report Before Crucial Clash

Monday night’s loss against the Rockets delivered devastating outcomes to Celtics fans. Boston’s home turf became a losing ground when Amen Thompson sank that crucial buzzer-beater. After facing defeat already, another matchup awaits before frustration can set in. The Celtics are set to face the Chicago Bulls at TD Garden tonight, hoping to bounce back from the setback. Now, the good news? Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis are still available. That alone keeps Boston in a strong position.

Brown has been steady all season, doing a bit of everything, while Porzingis’ ability to stretch the floor makes life miserable for opposing defenses. The Celtics need both to step up, especially with some key names on the injury report. Meanwhile, the Bulls have had a rough stretch, dropping seven of their last ten games. Yet, they did manage to pull off an upset over the Nuggets. This season, the Celtics hold a 2-1 edge over Chicago, but every matchup has had its own twists. The big question now—who’s actually playing?

Who’s In, Who’s Out? Injury Report for the Boston Celtics

Boston’s lineup could look a little different tonight, with Jayson Tatum’s availability up in the air. The All-Star forward is dealing with left knee tendinopathy, and given how grueling January has been, the Celtics may decide to give him a night off. Tatum rarely likes to sit. But with bigger battles ahead, a little extra rest wouldn’t be the worst idea.

Likewise, the Boston Celtics have concerns about Al Horford’s availability after he suffered a left big toe sprain before Houston. The Celtics plan to be careful with center Al Horford’s court time because he is now 37 years old, and the team approaches two consecutive matches. The absence of Al Horford will probably result in Luke Kornet and Neemias Queta playing more minutes.

Sam Hauser is questionable to play because of his right hip impingement as he sat out Monday’s match. Payton Pritchard would fill the void for additional three-point shooting while providing defensive pressure off the bench in Hauser’s absence. Let’s take a look at the depth chart.

On the Bulls’ side, Zach LaVine is officially out for personal reasons, leaving Chicago without one of its top scorers. Coby White is questionable because of an ankle issue, and Torrey Craig has already been ruled out with the same injury. That leaves DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vučević to carry the load.

And if White can’t go, Chicago will have to lean even heavier on its secondary options. But the focus remains on the Celtics!

Can Jaylen Brown & Kristaps Porzingis Lead the Charge?

Even if Tatum sits, the Celtics still have enough firepower to handle business. Jaylen Brown has been quietly putting together another strong season, averaging 23.1 points per game while bringing his usual defensive intensity. When he gets downhill, few defenders can stop him.

Kristaps Porzingis, on the other hand, remains a matchup nightmare. His ability to shoot over defenders, protect the rim, and create space for Boston’s guards has been a game-changer. With Chicago missing key pieces, Porzingis could be in line for a big night, especially if Vucevic struggles to keep up with him on the perimeter.

Boston also has a major edge from deep. They lead the NBA in made three-pointers per game (17.7), and Chicago’s perimeter defense has been suspect, allowing opponents to shoot 35.2% from beyond the arc. If Brown, Derrick White, and the rest of the Celtics’ shooters get hot early, this one could turn into a blowout fast.

The Boston squad needs to avoid any moments of neglect during this contest. Despite being short-handed, the Bulls displayed great mettle by defeating the 2023 champions Denver in a recent game. When the Celtics start slow, the Chicago Bulls maintain enough offensive threats to make the game competitive.

At the same time, this is a prime opportunity for Boston to build momentum. With home-court advantage, superior depth, and the ability to overwhelm Chicago with outside shooting, the path to victory is clear. Keep an eye on the final injury report—if Tatum and Horford are out, the Celtics will need Brown and Porzingis to take charge.

Either way, this is a game they should win, and after Monday’s tough loss, they’ll be eager to bounce back in style.