The Celtics will be shorthanded for Sunday’s clash of Eastern Conference front-runners.
Boston ruled out Jaylen Brown (illness) and Derrick White (right foot sprain) ahead of their road matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
It’s the first DNP of the season for White, who suffered his injury during Friday night’s 138-129 win in Chicago and sat out the final 20 minutes of that game. The versatile guard is off to the best start of his career, averaging career highs in points, assists and 3-point shooting percentage through 19 games.
Brown missed four games with a hip injury last month. He played 37 minutes Friday night, scoring 21 points on 7-of-21 shooting (4-of-10 from three).
Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday and Al Horford all were upgraded to available after being listed as questionable on Saturday’s injury report.
The 16-3 Celtics sit a half-game back of the 17-3 Cavs for first place in the East. Boston took the first meeting between the teams on Nov. 19, winning 120-117 at TD Garden to snap a 15-game Cleveland win streak.
The Celtics own the NBA’s longest active winning streak at seven games. The Cavs are coming off back-to-back losses to the Atlanta Hawks.
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