The Brooklyn Nets will be hosted by the Boston Celtics at home in TD Garden Friday, Dec. 18 at 8pm ET, breaking a long absence at the team’s home arena dating back to the start of the pandemic hiatus.
It will most likely be former Celtic floor general Kyrie Irving’s first return to his former home since departing for the Nets in 2019. Injuries (and, depending on who you ask, ego) have prevented the Duke product from playing in past opportunities, but now he is listed as healthy. So too is teammate Kevin Durant, and looking good in limited preseason minutes so far after an Achilles injury waylaid the superstar for all of last season.
#NEBHInjuryReport for tomorrow vs. Brooklyn:
Romeo Langford (right wrist surgery) – OUT
Tristan Thompson (right hamstring strain) – OUT
Kemba Walker (left knee strengthening) – OUT— Boston Celtics (@celtics) December 18, 2020
Additionally, Brooklyn wing Caris LeVert will make his preseason debut, though the Nets will be without two players. Center Nicholas Claxton (knee) will sit, as will point guard Elie Okobo, who has yet to join the team.
For Boston point guard Kemba Walker will continue to sit as he rehabilitates his knee, as will wing Romeo Langford (wrist), both of whom are not expected back until some time well into January.
Newly-signed center Tristan Thompson will also sit out the contest, though he has been participating in practice — a return timeline for the veteran big man remains unclear at present. Daniel Theis however is returning to the lineup after sitting out the team’s preseason opener with a sore lower back.
