HOUSTON — The Celtics will start a brand-new starting five in the wake of multiple absences against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday. Alongside regular starters Derrick White and Neemias Queta, Baylor Scheierman, Ron Harper Jr, and Luka Garza will take the floor for tip-off.
Payton Pritchard, fresh off a 26-point outing, will come off the bench for the second consecutive game. Pritchard expressed a total willingness to come off the bench, given that Anfernee Simons has been traded to Chicago and is no longer with the team.
Jaylen Brown (left hamstring tightness, right knee contusion) and Sam Hauser (thumb sprain) are sidelined; both players are with the team in Houston. Chris Boucher (personal reasons) is not currently with the team. Two-way player Max Shulga is also in Boston.
Multiple players get increased opportunities for the short-handed Celtics
For two-way player Ron Harper Jr, Wednesday night will mark a first-ever career NBA start. Harper Jr. has been a G League standout so far this season, but he has played just 35 minutes (across 7 games) with Boston this season.
Baylor Scheierman will start his second straight game, and 6th game of the season. Scheierman is averaging 13.6 minutes across 45 games played this year, while shooting 40.7% from the field and oftentimes taking on the team’s most difficult defensive assignments.
And, Luka Garza, on the heels of a 16-point game, will start his second game of the season. Garza is averaging 7.9 points and 4.3 rebounds per game, while shooting a team-best 47.6% from three.
For the Rockets, Amen Thompson, Tari Eason, Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr, and Kevin Durant will start.