Celtics rule out starter for Christmas Day game vs. 76ers
A holiday, but no Holiday.
The Celtics ruled out starting guard Jrue Holiday for their Christmas Day matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden. Holiday had been listed as questionable with a right shoulder impingement.
It was the fourth DNP of the season for the 34-year-old, who recorded 16 points, eight rebounds, three steals and two blocks on Monday in a 108-104 loss to the Orlando Magic.
Jayson Tatum, who was a late scratch in Orlando with an illness, was upgraded to available ahead of Wednesday afternoon’s game. Tatum’s most recent performance was one of the best by any NBA player this season: 43 points, 16 rebounds, 10 assists and 9-for-15 shooting from 3-point range in a blowout win over the Chicago Bulls.
Derrick White also was cleared to play against the Sixers after being listed as questionable with right hamstring tightness. White leads all Celtics players with 28 starts this season, missing just one game due to injury.
Boston entered Wednesday with a 22-7 record, 3 1/2 games behind the Cleveland Cavaliers for first place in the Eastern Conference. Philadelphia, snakebitten by injuries all season, sat outside the East playoff picture at 10-17.
The Sixers have improved of late, however, going 7-3 over the last 10 games entering Sunday’s holiday showcase. Wednesday marked just the sixth time this season that stars Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey all were active.