Celtics' Horford Rests, Porzingis Set to Return vs Pistons

The Boston Celtics have announced that veteran big man Al Horford will be rested for Monday’s game against the Detroit Pistons, marking the second consecutive night he’ll be sitting out. The decision comes as no surprise, as the 36-year-old Horford has been carefully managed by the Celtics throughout the season to keep him fresh for the playoffs.

Horford, who has been dealing with a nagging toe injury, played 23 minutes in Sunday’s dominant 144-102 win over the Washington Wizards, contributing 14 points on an efficient 5-of-7 shooting from the field. However, with the Celtics facing a back-to-back set, head coach Joe Mazzulla opted to give the veteran center a night off against the struggling Pistons.

While Horford’s absence will undoubtedly be felt, the Celtics are set to welcome back a key piece of their frontcourt rotation. Kristaps Porzingis, who has missed the last five games due to a hamstring strain, is expected to make his return against Detroit. The 7-foot-3 Latvian has been a valuable addition since being acquired from the Dallas Mavericks at the trade deadline, providing versatility, scoring, and much-needed depth to the Celtics’ frontline.

Porzingis’ return couldn’t come at a better time for the Celtics, who have been battling injuries throughout the season. With Robert Williams III still sidelined due to a hamstring injury and Horford resting, Porzingis’ presence in the starting lineup will be a significant boost for a team gearing up for a deep playoff run.

In his 12 games with the Celtics thus far, Porzingis has averaged 14.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting an impressive 38.5% from beyond the arc. His ability to stretch the floor and create spacing for Boston’s dynamic perimeter players, such as Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, has been a valuable addition to the team’s offensive arsenal.

While the Celtics are heavily favored against the struggling Pistons, who currently hold the worst record in the NBA, Mazzulla will undoubtedly be cautious with Porzingis’ minutes as he returns from injury. However, the Celtics’ coach will be hopeful that the big man can provide a much-needed spark and help the team maintain their momentum as they continue their push for the top seed in the Eastern Conference.

As the regular season winds down and the playoffs loom, the Celtics’ depth and ability to manage their star players’ workloads will be crucial factors in their pursuit of an NBA championship. With Horford resting and Porzingis returning, the team will look to continue their winning ways and solidify their position atop the Eastern Conference standings.