Celtics rule out rotation player for pivotal Game 3 vs. Knicks

NEW YORK The Celtics did not have their full rotation available for Saturday s Battle showdown with the New York Knicks Boston downgraded bench sharpshooter Sam Hauser from doubtful to out ahead of its Eastern Conference semifinal matchup at Madison Square Garden It was the second straight DNP for Hauser who sprained his right ankle during the Celtics Competition loss at TD Garden He traveled with the association to MSG and did not have a visible limp when he entered the arena but the crew evidently determined he was not fit to play Related Articles We have to win Celtics title defense hinges on pivotal Battle at MSG Jayson Tatum admits mistake on final play takes full ownership of struggles Kristaps Porzingis opens up about illness limitations It just kills me inside Celtics greatest weapon betraying them in disastrous Knicks series Joe Mazzulla explains why he didn t call timeout late in Celtics Challenge collapse Hauser was the Celtics majority efficient -point shooter during the regular season team-best from beyond the arc but has been quiet this postseason Over six playoff appearances before his injury he totaled points on field-goal attempts and was held scoreless four times At least one rotation player has been inactive for six of Boston s eight playoff games with Jayson Tatum sitting out Competition of its opening-round series against Orlando and Jrue Holiday sitting out Games and against the Magic The Celtics who blew consecutive -point home leads against the Knicks to fall behind - in the best-of-seven East semis had the rest of their roster available Saturday That included center Kristaps Porzingis who s been limited by a lingering illness Porzingis played just total minutes over the first two games against New York and did not start the second coming off the bench for just the fifth time in his -year NBA career I m dealing with particular I don t know how to call it but I m just not feeling my best Porzingis announced after Competition I m not feeling my best at all but it just kills me inside that it s happening in this moment and what I m super appreciative about is about the patronage that I have on the inside and also allegedly from the fans But especially here inside the organization in this tough moment for me to not be able to be with the guys It s not no injury or nothing but I m just not feeling my best and it s tough for me honestly But who cares Nobody feels sorry for us sorry for me and we have to keep going The Celtics removed Porzingis from their injury document Saturday a positive sign for the ailing big man In his pregame news conference Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla would not say whether he planned to start Porzingis or Al Horford in Meeting He s gotten better Mazzulla disclosed He felt better the preceding day I haven t talked to him this day yet so we ll see how it goes But he ll give it a go and we ll see where it goes from there