The Celtics will be fully healthy (minus Jayson Tatum) when they face the New York Knicks on Tuesday night at TD Garden. Derrick White (right calf contusion) and Neemias Queta (left ankle sprain) both missed Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers and were listed as probable for Tuesday’s game.
But on Tuesday morning, the Celtics announced both players would be playing.
Meanwhile, the Knicks, both OG Anunoby (left hamstring strain) and Landry Shamet (right shoulder sprain) are out, but the rest of the roster is available.
Anfernee Simons previews Celtics-Knicks at shootaround
At Celtics’ shootaround on Tuesday, Anfernee Simons reflected on the challenge of slowing the Knicks, who beat the Celtics 105-95 in October. This year, the Knicks have been led by Jalen Brunson, who is averaging 28.5 points and 6.2 assists. Karl-Anthony Towns is averaging 21.7 points and 11.7 rebounds per night, while Mikal Bridges is tallying 16.1 points and 4.4 assists.
“Jalen Brunson is a great player — being able to stop him and KAT [Karl Anthony-Towns], Mikal, they’re just a pretty well-rounded team,” Simons said. “And, be able to stop them from getting out in transition and stop their three-point making ability.
Entering the match-up, the Knicks have the 2nd-best record in the NBA at 13-6, while the Celtics have the 8th-best record at 11-9. But the Celtics are 6-4 at home, and the Knicks 3-5 on the road.
When the two teams last faced off on October 24th, the Knicks outrebounded the Celtics by 16.
This time, the rebounding challenge could be even larger, as center Mitchell Robinson is back in the lineup.
“We know it’s gonna be a tough, gritty game,” Simons said. “And I think we got to meet that.”
