The Celtics will be without Neemias Queta and Derrick White when they face the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday night. Queta is out with left ankle sprain injury management after spraining his ankle last Sunday, while White is out with a right calf contusion. Jaylen Brown, who was on Saturday’s injury report with low back spasms, is available to play.
Entering Saturday’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, both Brown and Queta were questionable. Despite that, both players put together excellent performances against the Wolves; Brown tallied 41 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds, and 5 steals, while Queta posted 19 points and a career-high 18 rebounds.
White was also on Saturday’s injury report, listed as probable with a calf contusion, and finished the game with 16 points, 5 assists, and 2 blocks. But, he will sit on the second night of a back-to-back and miss his first game of the season. Queta will miss his second game, after previously being sidelined for Wednesday’s game against the Detroit Pistons, which came three days after he first suffered the sprain.
In White’s place, Anfernee Simons will likely get his first start of the season. In Queta’s place, Luka Garza and Amari Williams could both see increased opportunities; Garza played 11 minutes against the Pistons with Williams sidelined, while Williams played 15.
The Cavaliers will also be shorthanded against the Celtics
The Cavaliers will also be without a slew of players; Jarrett Allen (right third finger strain), Lonzo Ball (left knee injury management), Sam Merill (right hand strain), Larry Nance Jr (right calf strain), and Max Strug (left foot surgery) are all out.
The Celtics (10-9) will face the Cavaliers (12-8) at 6pm ET at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. The two teams previously faced off on October 29th, with the Celtics coming out victorious at TD Garden.
