Celtics Face Knicks Without Jrue Holiday as Tatum Expected to Lead

BOSTON, Massachusetts — The Boston Celtics, currently second in the Eastern Conference with a 36-16 record, will face the New York Knicks (34-17) on Saturday at Madison Square Garden without veteran point guard Jrue Holiday, who has been ruled out due to a shoulder injury. This marks his second consecutive game missed. Despite Holiday’s absence, star forward Jayson Tatum is expected to play, leading the team in scoring and rebounding with 26.6 points and 8.7 rebounds per game.

The Celtics, who have won four of their last five games, are looking to bounce back from a recent loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Boston’s performance this season has been marked by a +441 scoring differential, placing them among the league’s top teams in three-point shooting. Tatum’s contributions have been pivotal, as he ranks seventh in the NBA in scoring and leads Boston in multiple statistical categories.

Meanwhile, the Knicks, though battling several injuries, remain formidable. New York’s injury report includes Mitchell Robinson (ankle) and Pacome Dadiet (toe) being ruled out, while OG Anunoby (foot), Karl-Anthony Towns (knee), and Josh Hart (knee) are listed as questionable or probable. Despite these challenges, the Knicks are led by Jalen Brunson, who averages 27.2 points per game.

The matchup is critical for both teams as they jockey for playoff positioning. The Celtics hold a slim 1.5-game lead over the Knicks in the Eastern Conference standings. Fans can watch the game live on ABC and ESPN+, or stream it via Fubo, with tip-off scheduled for 8:30 PM ET at Madison Square Garden.