Boston Celtics Face Preseason Challenges with Key Players Out

The Boston Celtics are gearing up for their first stateside preseason game against the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden on Saturday, October 12, but they will be doing so without some of their key players. Kristaps Porzingis, who underwent offseason surgery to repair a torn medial retinaculum and dislocation of the posterior tibialis tendon in his left leg, remains out and is expected to return to the court sometime in December..

Al Horford, although not a concern according to Coach Joe Mazzulla, did not appear in the Celtics’ preseason games against the Denver Nuggets in Abu Dhabi. Mazzulla assured that Horford is simply “ramping up” for the season.

The 76ers, on the other hand, may also be resting some of their stars. Joel Embiid, listed as day-to-day due to rest, did not travel to Minnesota for the 76ers’ game against the Timberwolves on Friday. There is a possibility that Embiid and other veterans like Paul George might be rested for the game against the Celtics, given the back-to-back schedule.

Coach Joe Mazzulla has detailed a plan to adjust the Celtics’ lineup in Porzingis’s absence, highlighting the readiness of backup bigs such as Luke Kornet, Xavier Tillman, and Neemias Queta to fill the gap.