Grizzlies Face a Crucial Test Against the Celtics Amid Injury Concerns
As the Boston Celtics prepare to face the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night, there's more at stake than just another regular-season game. With both teams dealing with injuries and playoff implications, this game could be a pivotal moment in the race for seeding. The Celtics, despite already locking in the second seed in the Eastern Conference, enter this matchup with an impressive eight-game winning streak. However, their roster is currently dealing with some injury concerns that could impact their chances.
Backup center Luke Kornet was added to the Celtics' injury report just hours before tip-off due to illness. Kornet has been a key contributor off the bench for the Celtics, enjoying a career-best month of March. In fact, he's been averaging 7.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, and shooting 71% from the field. His most recent performance was a standout one, posting a double-double with 15 points and a career-high 16 rebounds in a victory over the Spurs. His absence will certainly be felt, especially as Boston might need to adjust their rotations. If Kornet is unavailable, Neemias Queta could see increased minutes, possibly playing alongside veterans Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis in a double big lineup.
Jaylen Brown is also on the injury report, listed as questionable due to a sore knee. Though Brown has returned to action after an earlier injury, he’s still dealing with a minutes restriction, and his athleticism seems a bit diminished. This may lead the Celtics to be cautious with his usage moving forward. While Brown’s shooting has remained solid since his return, his lack of explosiveness could impact his effectiveness on both ends of the court.
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Despite these injury concerns, the Celtics have been rolling, showing resilience even when key players have been out. They are already locked into the No. 2 seed in the East, with an eight-game lead over the third-seeded Knicks. However, the top seed is now likely out of reach, with the Cleveland Cavaliers holding a 4.5-game lead, leaving Boston with little more to play for in terms of seeding.
On the other hand, the Memphis Grizzlies are facing much higher stakes. After a tough loss on Saturday, Memphis sits at fifth place in the Western Conference with only eight games left to play. While they are still in contention for a higher seed, they are also dangerously close to slipping into the play-in tournament, with just a couple of losses potentially dropping them to the eighth spot. This recent skid has been tough for Memphis, as they've lost five of their last six games. The Grizzlies are also adjusting to a new coaching change, with Tuomas Iisalo stepping in as interim head coach after the firing of Taylor Jenkins. Iisalo's fast-paced, three-point heavy offensive style has yet to produce the desired results, and the team is struggling to find consistency.
The Grizzlies also have to contend with the absence of star player Ja Morant for a significant portion of the season. Although Morant has played in 44 games, his performance has been inconsistent, and Memphis has suffered from a lack of chemistry and depth. This game against the Celtics is crucial for Memphis if they hope to secure a favorable playoff position and avoid a potential early exit.
For the Celtics, the challenge will be maintaining their momentum while dealing with these injury issues. Despite having nothing left to prove in the regular season, their depth and experience make them dangerous. The Grizzlies, however, need to find a way to snap out of their slump and deliver a statement performance if they want to keep their playoff hopes alive.
As the two teams face off at the FedEx Forum, the Celtics will look to extend their winning streak, while the Grizzlies will fight for their playoff lives. The game is set to tip off at 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT, and with so much on the line, this promises to be an exciting and hard-fought contest.
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