Celtics-Heat injury report: Both teams could be down key players in Game 4
The Miami Heat are down at least one key piece, while the Celtics could be down multiple regulars in their lineup in Game 4.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MAY 21: Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics handles the ball against Kyle Lowry #7 of the Miami Heat in the fourth quarter in Game Three of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 21, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Winslow Townson/Getty ImagesThe Boston Celtics and Miami Heat have both issued their injury reports ahead of Game 4 of the 2022 Eastern Conference Finals Monday night at TD Garden. The C's have dodged at least one big bullet on the health front.
Jayson Tatum will be back in the starting lineup in Game 4 Monday night, after the Celtics listed with what they termed a "right cervical nerve impingement." That's a stinger in the neck, in layman's terms. Tatum briefly left Game 3 before returning with the injury.
Celtics point guard Marcus Smart remains questionable for Game 4 with a right ankle sprain, with a little over an hour to go until tip-off. Smart has battled a smattering of injuries during the playoffs, including a mid-foot sprain prior to the ankle issue. Center Robert Williams III also remains questionable, in his case with left knee soreness. Williams' knee has been barking at him on and off since he returned from meniscus surgery.
Head coach Ime Udoka said in his pregame press availability that Smart and Williams "will go through some testing soon to see if they can play." So, consider each of them a game-time decision.
Forward Sam Hauser remains out of the lineup, as he continues to deal with a shoulder injury. The team has described his issues as an "instability episode."
Zolak & Bertrand | Celtics-Heat Game 3 Reactions and More
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Miami, meanwhile, has a bit of an unexpected absence according to their injury scares from Game 3. Guard Tyler Herro was officially ruled out for Game 4 with a groin injury. After scoring 18 points off the bench for the Heat in Game 1, Herro went cold offensively in Games 2-3. He shot just 1-of-14 from downtown over the first three games of the series.
The Heat designated five more players as planning to "warm up with the intent to play." Chief among them is starting forward Jimmy Butler, who is dealing with a knee injury that knocked him out of Game 3 early. Guards Kyle Lowry and Gabe Vincent (hamstrings), and forwards Max Strus (hamstring) and P.J. Tucker (knee), will all warm up along with Butler, and it sounds like all five guys will be available.
The Celtics and Heat tip off at 8:30 p.m. ET on Monday night at TD Garden. You can watch the game on ABC and get the call on 98.5 The Sports Hub, starting with pregame coverage at 8.
The Boston Celtics returned to their home court on Saturday night, to take on the Miami Heat at TD Garden in Game 3 of the 2022 Eastern Conference Finals. Keep scrolling for more photos from the game.
NBA: Playoffs-Miami Heat at Boston Celtics
David Butler II-USA TODAY SportsMay 21, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) drives the ball against Miami Heat guard Max Strus (31) and guard Victor Oladipo (4) in the third quarter during game three of the 2022 eastern conference finals at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
NBA: Playoffs-Miami Heat at Boston Celtics
David Butler II-USA TODAY SportsMay 21, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) shoots a three point basket against the Miami Heat in the second half during game three of the 2022 eastern conference finals at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
NBA: Playoffs-Miami Heat at Boston Celtics
David Butler II-USA TODAY SportsMay 21, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) react after making a basket against the Miami Heat in the third quarter during game three of the 2022 eastern conference finals at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
NBA: Playoffs-Miami Heat at Boston Celtics
David Butler II-USA TODAY SportsMay 21, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) shoots the ball against the Miami Heat in the third quarter during game three of the 2022 eastern conference finals at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
NBA: Playoffs-Miami Heat at Boston Celtics
David Butler II-USA TODAY SportsMay 21, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Miami Heat guard Victor Oladipo (4) drives against Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) in the third quarter during game three of the 2022 eastern conference finals at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
NBA: Playoffs-Miami Heat at Boston Celtics
David Butler II-USA TODAY SportsMay 21, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) reacts after a play against the Miami Heat in the third quarter during game three of the 2022 eastern conference finals at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
NBA: Playoffs-Miami Heat at Boston Celtics
David Butler II-USA TODAY SportsMay 21, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) is examined on the court after suffering an apparent injury against the Miami Heat in the fourth quarter during game three of the 2022 eastern conference finals at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
NBA: Playoffs-Miami Heat at Boston Celtics
David Butler II-USA TODAY SportsMay 21, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) is helped off the floor after suffering an apparent injury in the second half during game three of the 2022 eastern conference finals against the Miami Heat at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Miami Heat v Boston Celtics - Game Three
Winslow Townson/Getty ImagesBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 21: Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics handles the ball against Kyle Lowry #7 of the Miami Heat in the fourth quarter in Game Three of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 21, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Miami Heat v Boston Celtics - Game Three
Winslow Townson/Getty ImagesBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 21: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Miami Heat looks to shoot against Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics in the second quarter in Game Three of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 21, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
Miami Heat v Boston Celtics - Game Three
Winslow Townson/Getty ImagesBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 21: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat handles the ball against Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics in the second quarter in Game Three of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 21, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
NBA: Playoffs-Miami Heat at Boston Celtics
David Butler II-USA TODAY SportsMay 21, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) runs into Miami Heat guard Kyle Lowry (right) in the fourth quarter during game three of the 2022 eastern conference finals at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
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