The Boston Celtics will visit the Brooklyn Nets on Friday, January 23, with Barclays Center hosting the 7:30 p.m. ET matchup. Boston enters the game at 27-16, while Brooklyn struggles at 12-30.
Boston will be without Jayson Tatum (right Achilles repair), Josh Minott (left ankle sprain), Max Shulga (G League two-way), and Amari Williams (G League two-way). Their absence leaves Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard as the primary scorers.
The Nets are also short-handed, listing Haywood Highsmith (right knee surgery), Tyson Etienne (G League two-way), Chaney Johnson (G League two-way), E.J. Liddell (G League two-way), and Ben Saraf (G League assignment) as out. Michael Porter Jr. and Nic Claxton remain central to Brooklyn’s scoring and defense.
Boston’s offense relies heavily on Brown, who averages 29.8 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. White contributes 17.6 points and 5.4 assists, while Pritchard adds 16.5 points and 5.4 assists. Celtics’ center Neemias Queta offers efficient inside scoring with a 65.7% two-point rate.
For Brooklyn, Porter Jr. leads the team with 25.3 points and 7.4 rebounds per contest. Claxton provides 12.6 points and 7.5 rebounds, while Noah Clowney adds 13.1 points and 4.1 boards. Rookie Egor Demin contributes 10.3 points and 3.4 assists.
The Celtics have won their last game, defeating Indiana 119-104 on January 21, while the Nets continue a three-game losing streak, falling 66-120 to the Knicks in their most recent contest.
Boston also holds a 1-1 split against Brooklyn this season, winning 113-99 on November 18 but losing 113-105 on November 21.
The Celtics currently hold second place in the Eastern Conference, while the Nets remain 13th.
