Each day, this column will provide live updates for all NBA news. Enjoy up-to-the-minute alerts for injuries and lineup confirmations. The Key News to Watch section will highlight notable injuries to monitor for the current NBA slate.
Key NBA News to Watch
Nikola Jokic (calf) — Out
Robert Williams (injury management) — In
Recent NBA News
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Confirmed Lineup: Marcus Smart, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford
Robert Williams (injury management) — In
Grant Williams (illness) — Available
Payton Pritchard (heel) — Out
Danilo Gallinari (ACL) — Injured
Brown has led the Celtics with a heightened 33.1% usage rate during the last eight matches, and that development has influenced Boston's guards to contribute less to the scoring effort. White scored 10 or fewer points in five of those contests, posting reduced 15.3% usage. Similarly, Smart scored single-digit points in three of the seven matches he played, registering a diminished 16.3% usage rate.
Confirmed Lineup: Jrue Holiday, Grayson Allen, Khris Middleton, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez
Joe Ingles (injury management) — Expected to be available
Meyers Leonard (calf) — Out
Once locally renowned for his ability to step up against the Celtics, Middleton has struggled in four matchups with Boston during the last two seasons, posting reduced 23.8% usage while shooting 41.8% from the field. Instead, Holiday was sharp during those contests, averaging 26.5 points on 55.7% shooting and 24.3% usage.
Confirmed Lineup: CJ McCollum, Herb Jones, Brandon Ingram, Trey Murphy, Jonas Valanciunas
Jose Alvarado (leg) — Injured
Zion Williamson (hamstring) — Injured
While Ingram and Murphy have played more prominent roles since Ingram rejoined the lineup eight games ago, McCollum has struggled. He's posted reduced usage (22.0%) and assist rates (21.9%) while scoring 20 or fewer points in six of those contests. McCollum isn't likely to get on track against Denver: he posted a 38.5 eFG% in his first three matchups with the Nuggets this season.
Confirmed Lineup: Jamal Murray, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, Thomas Bryant
Nikola Jokic (calf) — Out
Vlatko Cancar (ankle) — Available
Peyton Watson (illness) — Available
Jack White (health protocols) — Out
Zeke Nnaji and Thomas Bryant will man the center position if Jokic is sidelined. Nnaji has served as the backup five during the last four matches, but Bryant's size could make him better equipped to match up with Jonas Valanciunas. Murray (+7.1%), Bruce Brown (+4.7%), Caldwell-Pope (+4.3%), and Gordon (+4.1%) have posted positive usage differentials, while Murray has led the team with a +8.6% assist rate differential with Jokic and Bones Hyland off the court this season.