The Boston Celtics (23-13) and Toronto Raptors (23-15) are separated by just one game in the NBA’s Eastern Conference standings entering Friday’s clash in Beantown.
Boston forwards Jayson Tatum and Josh Minott are the only two Celtics players ruled out for the contest, while Toronto could be missing both star forwards Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes.
That’s in addition to starting center Jakob Poeltl, who hasn’t suited up since Dec. 21.
“Scottie Barnes (right knee sprain) and Brandon Ingram (right thumb sprain) are questionable Friday vs. Celtics,” Sportsnet’s Blake Murphy posted on Bluesky. “Jakob Poeltl remains out. Hepburn with 905, Lawson and Martin available as needed.”
The Raptors have won three in a row but dropped each of their first two matchups vs. Boston this season.
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Barnes and Ingram are the only two Toronto players to start and appear in each of the team’s first 38 contests.
The latter leads the Raptors in scoring (21.8 points per game), is averaging 5.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists and has posted a .474/.349/.821 shooting line during the 2025-26 campaign.
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The 24-year-old Barnes paces Toronto in rebounds (8.4), minutes (34.0), blocks (1.5) and steals per tilt (1.3), is third in points per game (19.1) and has registered a career-high .504/.347/.837 slash line this season.
Featured image via Nick Turchiaro/Imagn Images
