The Boston Celtics will have two of their most important players back on the court when the Celtics face the Atlanta Hawks on Friday, with guards Kemba Walker and Marcus Smart set to return to the Gang Green.
Walker, who will be on a minutes restriction (according to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps), has missed Boston’s past three games with soreness (left knee) while Smart has missed their last two contests with a right quad contusion. However, the Celtics will have to manage against the Hawks — whom they defeated by eight points in their last matchup — without starters Jaylen Brown, Gordon Hayward and Daniel Theis. Big man Robert Williams III remains out as well.
Kemba Walker will play, but be on a minutes restriction. Marcus Smart will also play. Gordon Hayward, Daniel Theis and Jaylen Brown will all sit.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) February 7, 2020
Down three starters and with one-half of their All-Star duo on a minutes restriction, the Celtics will need players like Smart, Brad Wanamaker and Semi Ojeleye to step up and help replace some of their scoring punch.
Otherwise, Boston will be looking for a spectacular performance from All-Star forward Jayson Tatum, who scored 28 points (on 50.0 percent shooting from the field) when the two team’s last met and is averaging 21.9 points per game this season.
Tip-off will be at 7:30 p.m. EST as the Celtics try to bring their record to 36-15.