The Boston Celtics will head into Game 2 of their second round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers with a 1-0 lead.
They will also have a full healthy starting lineup as of the latest updates but face a key injury concern from the bench with emerging wing Ron Harper Jr.
Harper Jr. has emerged as a standout role player with the Celtics after a strong showing in the G League. Ahead of the start of the playoffs, he earned All-NBA G League Third Team honors.
The 6-foot-5 guard signed a two-way deal with Boston and later earned a standard NBA contract. He was in line to play some meaningful minutes in the postseason.
Boston Celtics Star’s First Playoff Halted
Harper Jr. played only four minutes Sunday as Boston claimed a dominant 123-91 victory in Game 1.
Ahead of Game 2 on Tuesday, his status is listed as probable as he is dealing with a right ankle sprain. That status will be monitored with the game around the corner.
It is not considered a severe sprain as of this moment, however, Boston’s coaching staff is expected to err on the side of caution in the early stages of the postseason. They have relied a ton on productive rotational pieces this season and wouldn’t want to lose one of those pieces.
Harper Jr. has shown his scoring touch this season when handed meaningful minutes.
Against the Orlando Magic in the final game of the regular season, he scored a career-high 27 points to close the season. He played 37 minutes in that game, however, in the playoffs such minutes will be almost impossible to come by as the Celtics like in Game 1 will lean on their established core.
His workload will also be managed with the ankle issue, but his potential off the bench will be valuable if the series extends or tightens.
Looking to Take Control of Series
Heading into Game 2, the consensus around the Celtics is that Harper Jr.‘s ankle status will unlikely have a significant impact on the team’s overall performance or game plan.
As long as Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are healthy, the team is good to go.
GettyBoston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum and guard Jaylen Brown
Tatum beat the clock with his recovery from an Achilles injury suffered last year and had a solid regular-season finish. Brown is enjoying a career-high year and together, they are the Celtics’ best chance of a deep postseason run.
That run started in style against the Sixers, who missed Joel Embiid for Game 1 and will most likely miss subsequent games of this series.
This has put Boston in a sole position to go through to the next round. They wasted little time in the series opener, rallying behind the Jays, who both combined for 51 points.
The game was basically over by the third quarter and Boston’s defensive effort was equally impressive. The Celtics held the Sixers to just 91 points on a measly 36% shooting and 17% from 3-point range.
The Celtics also had only eight turnovers, which is proof of a well-drilled side by head coach Joe Mazzulla.
Game 2 tips off Tuesday at TD Garden with the Celtics aiming for a tighter grip in the series before heading to Philadelphia.
Celtics Hit With Injury Concern Over Key Star Before Game 2 vs 76ers