Celtics Could Be Without Several Key Players Against Hawks

ATLANTA — The Celtics will once again be shorthanded when they face the Atlanta Hawks on Monday night on the second night of a back-to-back.

Jayson Tatum (right Achilles repair management) will be sidelined after exploding for 32 points and 8 assists on Sunday against the Charlotte Hornets. And Nikola Vucevic remains out with a right ring finger fracture suffered on March 6th.

The good news for the Celtics, however, is that Jaylen Brown, who missed the last two games with left Achilles tendonitis, is available. Joe Mazzulla said last week that Brown was day-to-day.

Derrick White, who, like Brown, missed Sunday’s game, is probable to play in this one. Neemias Queta, who is dealing with a right thumb sprain, is doubtful. And, Ron Harper Jr., who sprained his ankle in Sunday’s game, is questionable to play. Harper Jr. left in the second quarter of the game, but returned in the second half and played 4 minutes the rest of the way.

Monday will mark Tatum’s second rest night since returning to action on March 6th.

Atlanta, meanwhile, will be fully healthy in the match-up.

How the Celtics, Hawks stack up

The Celtics are 2-1 against the Hawks this season, most recently beating them 109-102 last Friday at TD Garden. The Celtics overcame a 16-point first-quarter deficit in that game, fueled by a 26-point performance from Payton Pritchard and a 26-point, 12-rebound outing by Jayson Tatum.

Both the Celtics and the Hawks have been two of the hottest teams in the NBA. The Hawks (42-33) are 16-3 since the All-Star break, the third-best record in the NBA in that span.

Celtics-Hawks tips off at 7:30pm ET on Monday night in Atlanta.