With the Boston Celtics’ depth at center thinning at a rapid pace, Celtics head coach Brad Stevens has decided to unleash rookie center Vincent Poirier against the New York Knicks on Saturday.
The physical Frenchman didn’t see any time in Boston’s first two matchups, in part due to the Celtics having three centers in their rotation. 20-year-old rookie forward Grant Williams’ performance against the Toronto Raptors in Boston’s home opener more than likely played a role as well, with the undersized big man performing admirably against the Raptors’ duo of Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka.
However, with center Daniel Theis listed as out after rolling his ankle on Friday, Poirier will make his debut in the Big Apple.
The Knicks start 7-foot-0 shot-blocker Mitchell Robinson and the energetic Bobby Portis, 6-foot-10 himself, plays behind him.
New York’s frontline rotation provides a challenge similar to the one the Celtics faced with the Raptors, so it’ll be interesting to see how Stevens counters their big men with his own and what to Poirier finds himself playing a role similar to Theis’.
