Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (50) in the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)AP
While plenty of eyes will be on the Celtics and Nuggets in a matchup between the past two NBA champions, both teams could be shorthanded. The Nuggets listed two key rotation players on their injury report for the 1 p.m. Sunday game at TD Garden.
Aaron Gordon (left ankle sprain) and Zeke Nnaji (left ankle sprain) are both questionable for Sunday’s game. Gordon hurt his ankle Thursday against the Bucks, which also kept him out the Nuggets’ game against the Pistons on Friday. Nnaji played 21 minutes in Detroit, so it appears the ankle issue is relatively new.
The Celtics have three starters listed on their injury report as they’ve been hit by issues recently. Kristaps Porizngis (illness) and Jrue Holiday (mallet finger) are both listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game. Porzingis has been dealing with an illness all week, and while he played against the Pistons, it was clear he wasn’t at 100%. The big man has missed two of the past three games. Holiday recently hurt his finger as that issue appears like it will sideline him for the near future.
Jaylen Brown is also questionable for Sunday’s game with right knee pain. That’s something new compared to what Brown was dealing with earlier in the week. He scored 37 points in the Cavaliers loss as he played through a left thigh contusion. So the right knee pain is unrelated to the contusion he suffered Tuesday in Toronto.
The Nuggets impressed when they went on their nine-game win streak earlier this month, though they’re 2-2 in their last four games. They come in at 39-21 on the season. The Celtics are on a two-game losing streak, just the second time this year they’ve dropped back-to-back games. They’re looking to bounce back after the Cavs loss, which saw them slip after building up a huge lead minutes into the game.