The Boston Celtics have found a way to overcome every opponent that’s come their way since losing the season opener to the Philadelphia 76ers, despite several nagging injuries and illnesses.
Veteran center Enes Kanter has been working his way back into game shape with a knee contusion sustained in the team’s only loss, and Jaylen Brown — who was playing exceptionally well to start the season — will reportedly not travel with the team to Cleveland as the team faces the Cavaliers this Tuesday.
The Cal-Berkeley product has been battling an undisclosed infection and may join the team later in its coming road trip if all goes well.
Kanter, on the other hand, has finally felt ready to rejoin the team after practicing with contact today, and will travel with the team in hopes of playing.
While the matchup against Cleveland may not be the toughest opponent Boston could face given the rebuilding state of the franchise, the Cavs have been notably more competitive this season with an early 2-4 record with several competitive losses.
The Celtics should be in good shape with Kanter and without Brown but the game has upset potential if Boston has the sort of night they had against the New York Knicks — who have just a 1-6 record — last Friday.
The team’s frontcourt had been banged up enough to call up two-way player and fan favorite Tacko Fall from the G League ahead of their win over the Knicks.
Though, with Kanter looking healthy along with bigs Daniel Theis and Robert Williams III evidently past injuries they sustained to their lower extremities (a sprained ankle and hip bursitis, respectively), the improved health of the team portends an easier outing.
The team will face the Charlotte Hornets at home on Thursday after the Cavs, followed by the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday before hosting the Dallas Mavericks next Monday.
