Celtics opening night roster gives updates on COVID statuses

Author Matt Dolloff

October 19th, 2021 12:48 PM

The NBA has released opening night rosters, and the Celtics’ group indicates who will and will not be cleared through the COVID-19 protocol.

Jaylen Brown is listed as active on the roster (via Chris Forsberg) for Wednesday night’s season opener against the New York Knicks. The game will mark 12 days since it Brown tested positive for COVID. Veteran big man Al Horford, meanwhile, is the only player listed as inactive.

Shams Charania reported on Oct. 12 that Horford had tested positive and was in quarantine, so he will need more than eight days to be cleared. Under the NBA’s COVID protocol, as reported at ESPN, unvaccinated players have to quarantine for seven days no matter what and are subject to daily testing, including lab-based game-day testing.

Here’s a full look at the Celtics’ opening night roster for Wednesday in New York…

• Point Guard

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  Marcus Smart
  Dennis Schröder
  Payton Pritchard
  
  Celtics President of Basketball Ops Brad Stevens added to his point guard depth with the signing of Schröder in the offseason. He'll be a solid piece off the bench, who could occasionally start if Smart is moved to the 2-guard spot. Pritchard will look to build off a promising rookie season as one of the top guards in the second unit.

• Shooting Guard

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  Jaylen Brown
  Josh Richardson
  Aaron Nesmith
  Brodric Thomas
  
  Brown has cleared the COVID protocol and will look to take another step forward after averaging 24.7 points and six rebounds in his first All-Star season. He'll also look to stay healthy, after playing 58 and 57 games the last two seasons. Richardson, acquired with the Gordon Hayward trade exception, should provide strong defense and versatility at shooting guard and small forward. Nesmith has a chance to be an asset as a sharpshooter off the bench.

• Forward

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  Jayson Tatum
  Romeo Langford
  Grant Williams
  Juancho Hernangomez
  Bruno Fernando
  Sam Hauser
  
  This is where head coach Ime Udoka will have the most options to mix & match. Tatum can play either forward spot, sliding to the 4 in smaller lineups. Langford saw a small improvement in minutes and points last season, but needs to improve his efficiency to get more playing time. They have depth here, but the depth of talent is a question mark after Tatum. Once Horford is ready to return, he should see some time at power forward, next to Robert Williams at center.
• Center

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  Robert Williams III
  Enes Kanter
  
  The C's brought Enes Kanter back after he played last season with the Portland Trail Blazers. He'll provide his typically solid offense and rebounding off the bench behind projected starter Robert Williams. Horford should also be able to play under the rim with his size and defense. But the hope is that Williams, who signed a four-year extension in the offseason, can stay healthy and take a step forward as the team's top big.
  
  The Celtics open their season against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. ET. You can get the call of the game on 98.5 The Sports Hub, starting with pregame at 7.

• NBA: Preseason-Toronto Raptors at Boston Celtics

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  Oct 9, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) controls the ball while Toronto Raptors guard Goran Dragic (1) defends during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

• NBA: Preseason-Toronto Raptors at Boston Celtics

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  Oct 9, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) controls the ball while Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet (23) defends during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
• NBA: Preseason-Boston Celtics at Miami Heat

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  Oct 15, 2021; Miami, Florida, USA; Boston Celtics guard Dennis Schroder (71) controls the ball around Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) during the first half at FTX Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

• NBA: Preseason-Boston Celtics at Miami Heat

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  Oct 15, 2021; Miami, Florida, USA; Boston Celtics forward Aaron Nesmith (26) shoots the ball over Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) during the first half at FTX Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

• NBA: Preseason-Orlando Magic at Boston Celtics

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  Oct 4, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Romeo Langford (9) shoots the ball during the second half against the Orlando Magic at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
• NBA: Preseason-Toronto Raptors at Boston Celtics

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  Oct 9, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics center Enes Kanter (13) defends Toronto Raptors forward Precious Achiuwa (5) during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

• NBA: Preseason-Boston Celtics at Miami Heat

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  Oct 15, 2021; Miami, Florida, USA; Boston Celtics guard Josh Richardson (8) shoots the ball over Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) during the second half at FTX Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Click here for complete Boston Celtics coverage at 985TheSportsHub.com.

Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @mattydsays. You can also email him at [email protected].

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Author Matt Dolloff

Category:

• Celtics
• News

Tags:

al horford,Boston Celtics,Jaylen Brown,Marcus Smart,Matt Dolloff,NBA,New York Knicks