The Celtics could be without several key players when they face the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night. Jaylen Brown (left calf tightness), Derrick White (right knee contusion) and Neemias Queta (right thumb sprain).

The Celtics also continue to be without veteran big man Nikola Vucevic, who has been sidelined since March 6th, when he fractured his right ring finger. Vucevic is expected to be re-evaluated in the coming days and ultimately return before postseason action.

Jayson Tatum continues to be available for Boston, and Friday will mark his three-week return from an Achilles injury suffered last May. So far this season, he’s averaging 19.1 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. Albeit in a limited sample, it’s been the best rebounding season of his career.

If Brown, White, and Queta are out, Baylor Scheierman, Hugo Gonzalez and Luka Garza will all likely see increased minutes. Joe Mazzulla has also turned to Ron Harper Jr. when the team has been down key players. Jordan Walsh could also see an opportunity.

How the Celtics, Hawks stack up

The Celtics and Hawks have faced off twice this season, with each team coming away with one win. The Celtics blew out the Hawks 132-106 on January 17th, and the Hawks came away with a 117-106 bounce-back on January 28th.

And, both teams have been among the NBA’s best since the All-Star break; the Hawks are 15-2, and the Celtics are 13-5.

On the season, the Celtics have been the East’s second-best team with a 48-24 record, while the Hawks have been the conference’s fifth-best team with a 41-32 record.

The Hawks have been led by Jalen Johnson, who was named an All-Star for the first time in his career and is averaging 22.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 8.1 assists per game (all team-highs). Nickeil Alexander-Walker has also been big for Atlanta; he’s averaging 20.4 points, 3.7 assists, and 1.3 steals per game in his first season in Atlanta.

And, CJ McCollum has been very impactful, tallying 19.3 points and 8.9 assists per night since arriving in Atlanta in the trade that sent Trae Young to the Washington Wizards.

The game has seeding implications: the Celtics look to stave off the Knicks, who are just half a game behind them in the standings, while the Hawks look to avoid the play-in (they currently have a one-game advantage over the Philadelphia 76ers).

After this game, the Celtics will face the Hawks again on Monday in Atlanta for one final match-up.

But first — Celtics-Hawks will tip off at 7:30pm ET on Friday at TD Garden.