The Boston Celtics and New York Knicks will face off Sunday at TD Garden with several key players sidelined due to injuries.
The Celtics, who are 34-18 and second in the Eastern Conference, will be without Jayson Tatum and Sam Hauser. Tatum is out recovering from right Achilles repair, while Hauser is sidelined with low back spasms. Two-way player Max Shulga is also out.
The Knicks, currently third in the East at 33-19, will be without OG Anunoby (right toe soreness) and Miles McBride (post-pelvic surgery). Dillon Jones is also out, assigned to the G League on a two-way contract. Despite the absences, Karl-Anthony Towns is active after recovering from a right eye laceration, and Josh Hart is available, managing soreness in his right ankle.
Recent form favors Boston, winners of their last two games with narrow victories over Miami (98-96) and Houston (114-93). New York comes off a lopsided loss to Detroit (80-118) but rebounded in a win against Denver (134-127).
Previous matchups this season saw the Celtics edge the Knicks twice, including a 123-117 win on December 2.
