Per an official report from the Boston Celtics, point guard Bran Wanamaker won’t be available against the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday as he looks to recover from an illness. Wanamaker, a 29-year-old rookie who spent seven seasons in the EuroLeague before signing a one-year deal with the Celtics in the offseason, has played in 27 games for Boston this season, having played at least 10 minutes in eight of those contests.
He’s averaged 10.7 points, 3.7 assists and 1.7 steals per game when he’s played at least 20 minutes this season (three games) while shooting 45.5 percent from the field and 61.5 percent from three-point range.
Wanamaker is the third-string point guard and without him on the roster. However, it’s not necessarily imperative that point guards Kyrie Irving and Terry Rozier avoid injury as there are a number of solid passers on the Celtics squad, including combo guard Marcus Smart.
However, a speedy point guard who can penetrate the lane, make the correct pass and play solid defense, having Wanamaker as depth wouldn’t have hurt Boston’s cause as they try to win in Toronto for the first time since April 4, 2015.
For the Celtics, center Aron Baynes will also be out with a right foot contusion while the Raptors will have to make due without backup point guard Fred VanVleet. Raptors star forward Kawhi Leonard is expected to play against Boston after missing Toronto’s game against the Orlando Magic on Sunday.
*All stats gathered from Basketball Reference
