The Boston Celtics are playing the New York Knicks on Thursday, April 9, in a game that is marked by the return of Jayson Tatum to Madison Square Garden after tearing his Achilles tendon in the arena last May.
While Tatum is set to play in the game, the Celtics ruled out Jaylen Brown for the matchup against the Knicks, dealing with a lingering Achilles injury of his own.
Before the contest, Boston announced its starting lineup and final injury report against New York, for a game that, with a win, could see the team clinch another division title and the second seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Celtics Announce Starting Lineup Decision
In the lead-up to the game, the Celtics announced the five players selected for the starting lineup on Thursday.
Derrick White, Sam Hauser, Jordan Walsh, Jayson Tatum, and Neemias Queta were all named starters by Joe Mazzulla and the coaching staff.
With the injuries the team is currently facing, Scheierman is the one in an elevated role against the Knicks. This is a lineup Boston has used this season, just one not featured very often, especially in the limited games they’ve played since Tatum’s return.
Celtics Injury Report, Jaylen Brown Injury Update Vs Knicks
GettyJaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at TD Garden on March 25, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts.
Brown headlines the Celtics’ injury report against New York. He was previously questionable, but then ruled out, officially with left Achilles tendinitis. He had previously missed time with the injury a few weeks ago, and is sidelined with the same issue once again.
Hauser (back), White (knee), and Queta (toe) were also questionable for the game earlier in the day, but both were elevated to available against the Knicks.
While there were questions about Tatum playing on Thursday, he was never listed on the injury report.
Jayson Tatum Returns To Madison Square Garden
GettyBoston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum looks on during a game against the Thunder. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Tatum tore his Achilles tendon in Madison Square Garden in the second round of the playoffs against the Knicks last May.
While he did complete an unprecedented recovery to get back on the court for the Celtics in just 300 days, the star has said multiple times that he is not excited about returning to the place where he had a ‘traumatic experience.’
“I thought about it, not like thrilled to go back and play there last time I played there, obviously, it was a traumatic experience for me,” Tatum said.
Additionally, while he did express some worries about playing in New York for the first time since his injury, Tatum reiterated that it was ‘just another game.’
“Obviously, I knew at some point I would have to get over that hurdle and play there again. So, it’s going to have to be this Thursday. But it’s not like I’m thrilled about it. But it’s part of it,” he said, per Tim Bontemps of ESPN. “I decided to come back and play, so I’m not necessarily skipping certain games. I can’t play back-to-backs right now, but I decided to come back and play, so it’s just another game on the schedule.”
With a win, the Celtics will clinch the Atlantic division and the second seed in the East, and as Brown previously said, not bad for ‘gap year.’
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