The latest on Celtics star’s condition ahead of the Lakers Christmas clash

The Celtics want to end their trip to the West Coast above.500 in a Christmas game that features one of the most recognizable rivalries in sports.

The Boston Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 145-108 on Saturday to extend their winning streak to 2-1 while visiting the West Coast.

They will now attempt to win a game on Christmas against the Los Angeles Lakers to cap up their four-game trip to California.

Their expectation that Jayson Tatum will start in this rivalry game helps. Before the Celtics play the purple and gold on Christmas, the four-time All-Star is not listed among the injured players.

It pains him to miss games. It would have taken more than a bad ankle to miss this game, on the biggest day of the NBA regular season, at the stadium where his boyhood hero, Kobe Bryant, played.

However, Tatum was out for Boston’s 144-119 victory over the Sacramento Kings the next night after sustaining that injury during Tuesday’s 132-126 defeat to the Golden State Warriors.

Additionally, he again rolled his left ankle in the second quarter of Saturday’s game after landing on Kobe Brown’s foot on a side-step three from the left wing. Brown’s presence in Tatum’s landing zone resulted in a flagrant-1 whistle.

Kristaps Porzingis is doubtful for Monday’s game after spraining his left ankle during the win against the Kings on Saturday.

So are Lamar Stevens, who suffers from a non-Covid ailment, and Svi Mykhailiuk, who is managing a left heel contusion.

Luke Kornet is likely after missing six consecutive games due to a tightness in his left adductor.