Two key starters could miss the Indiana matchup

The Celtics are coming off two straight losses heading into Friday’s game against the Indiana Pacers. As Boston tries to turn things around, they could be without two key players, which would greatly impact them on both ends of the court.

Both Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis were listed as questionable on the Celtics’ injury report. Holiday is dealing with a right shoulder impingement injury, while Porzingis is dealing with a left ankle sprain that caused him to exit Wednesday’s NBA Christmas game against the 76ers.

Porzingis appeared to tweak his ankle in the first few minutes of the match but tried to work through the discomfort. The star center entered the game with 34 seconds left in the half but did not return with the team in the second half.

His injury was announced at half-time and it was considered doubtful whether he would return. He still managed to score nine points and dish out three assists in just a few minutes of hitting the floor.

If the Celtics are without Porzingis, their interior presence will be severely impacted. He averages 18.3 points per game. Defensively, he is the team’s best fullback, averaging 1.5 blocks per game.

His offensive skills allow Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown to get open in spacing. Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time his ankle has been injured. Before the start of the season, he underwent offseason surgery on the same ankle.

As for Holiday, he also missed the Christmas game against Philly. He has been nursing a shoulder injury since it apparently occurred during Monday’s game against Orlando. He was initially listed as questionable until the team officially ruled him out of the competition before tipping off.

Holiday was an important player on the Celtics roster, averaging 12.2 points per game at the point guard position. He builds play at a high level in the backcourt and ensures that the offense runs smoothly.

Not only has he been an asset offensively this season, but he is also known for his defensive abilities. He is a noted perimeter defender and has the ability and physicality to defend multiple positions.

In Holiday’s absence, we could see Payton Pritchard as the starting player. Pritchard has been exceptional off the bench this season, averaging 15.7 points per game.

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