Celtics to start third center in as many games Saturday against Knicks

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NEW YORK - As expected, the Celtics will be even more short-handed than usual Saturday in the frontcourt with Daniel Theis ruled out for the game against the Knicks.

The 6-foot-8 Theis sprained his left ankle in the second quarter of the 112-106 win over Toronto on Friday night. 

Theis was able to return briefly in the third quarter, but it was clear that he was going to need some time to rest the ankle in order to avoid it becoming a more serious issue. 

Following the win, Theis said the ankle remained sore and that he and the medical staff would make a decision based on how the ankle felt when he woke up Saturday morning.

Still, even then it was clear that Theis was leaning towards not playing Saturday.

In his postgame interview, he mentioned how sitting out would give his ankle ample downtime with the Celtics not playing again until Oct. 30 against Milwaukee. 

And while the Celtics (1-1) are in no position to look past any opponent, missing Theis against the Knicks won’t have nearly as significant an impact as the possibility of him missing or being limited against the Bucks. 

With no Theis, it means the Celtics will start a different center for the third time in as many games. 

Enes Kanter suffered a knee contusion against Philadelphia in the opener, resulting in him being ruled out for Friday and again Saturday against his former team, the New York Knicks.

That leaves the Celtics with few options at center, although Boston will likely go with Robert Williams III as the starter and a combination of rookies Grant Williams and Vincent Poirier as backups. 

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