The Boston Celtics immediately lost home court advantage against the Miami Heat in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference Finals series Saturday. Miami started hot, jumping out to a 15-point lead at halftime and held on for a 109-103 victory. The Heat now lead the best of seven series 2-1. Not only did the Celtics lose the game and home court, but stars Jayson Tatum, Marcus Smart and Robert Williams were all hurt in the loss.
On Sunday, the Celtics provided an update and prognosis for the injuries.
#NEBHInjuryReport for Game 4 vs. Miami:
Sam Hauser (right shoulder instability episode) – OUT
Marcus Smart (right ankle sprain) – QUESTIONABLE
Jayson Tatum (right cervical nerve impingement) – PROBABLE
Robert Williams (left knee soreness) – QUESTIONABLE— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 22, 2022
Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum is the only player listed as probable for Monday's Game 4. He is dealing with a right cervical nerve impingement. Tatum fell hard and injured his shoulder. He talked about it afterward, saying that he had lost feeling in his shoulder and arm. However, he would later return to the game.
Smart suffered an ankle sprain that head coach Ime Udoka said had some swelling and will get treatment. Despite the fact that Smart returned to Game 3, the swelling likely happened after the game and the adrenaline wore down. He could be pointing in the wrong direction.
Coach Udoka says Marcus Smart has some swelling around his ankle after suffering a "pretty bad sprain" last night. He’ll continue to get treatment and will be reassessed tomorrow.
Udoka adds that Jayson Tatum's shoulder is feeling fine and Rob Williams’ knee is improving.
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 22, 2022
As for Williams, he missed Game 3 with left knee soreness and is listed as questionable for Game 4 also. Without him in the lineup, the Heat and Bam Adebayo made Boston pay. Miami's two best players were arguably Bam Adebayo and P.J. Tucker. Without Williams' size and rim protection, and lack of depth in the front court, the Celtics were exposed.
The Celtics' best defensive players will be crucial in trying to tie the series up heading back to Miami.
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