The Boston Celtics will be shorthanded on Thursday night when they battle the Milwaukee Bucks at the Fiserv Forum in a highly-anticipated matchup between the two top teams in the Eastern Conference right now.

While Boston’s main stars will be good to go against Milwaukee — Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are actually coming off monster games in an overtime win against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday — the Celtics will be without one of their key starters on Thursday.

Per the official injury report, veteran big man Al Horford will not be able to take the court on Thursday against the Bucks. The 37-year-old is currently dealing with a non-COVID illness which will force him to sit out the marquee matchup against Giannis Antetokounmpo and Co.

It is worth noting that Horford also entered Wednesday’s game against the Timberwolves with a questionable tag due to the same injury. He was ultimately cleared to play, though, finishing with nine points, eight rebounds, five assists, and three triples in 38 minutes of action.

It is worth noting that Horford also entered Wednesday’s game against the Timberwolves with a questionable tag due to the same injury. He was ultimately cleared to play, though, finishing with nine points, eight rebounds, five assists, and three triples in 38 minutes of action.
The fact that the Celtics are playing on a second night of a back-to-back set may have also factored in on the team’s decision to give Horford the night off.