The Boston Celtics with have to face the Atlanta Hawks without their two primary ball handlers in All-Star point guard Kemba Walker (knee) and defensive nightmare Marcus Smart (quad contusion).
They’ll also have to to do it facing Atlanta All-Star point guard Trae Young, who has been upgraded to probable against the Celtics after a recent ankle sprain, according to Sports Radio 92.9’s Mike Conti.
Boston should still be able to handle the Hawks — one of the league’s worst teams — without the duo, though their opponent has beaten teams like the Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers when those teams took Atlanta for granted.
To that end, Boston has recalled two way floor general Tremont Waters to help bolster the backcourt rotation, and will likely lean on veteran forward Gordon Hayward to help with distribution as well.
The Celtics could see big man Enes Kanter return to action in Atlanta, who has been recuperating a bruised knee.
Fellow center Robert Williams reportedly had a favorable scan on his injured hip on Friday, and will be re-evaluated for a return soon according to the Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach.
