In their first game after the 2021 NBA trade deadline, the Boston Celtics gave the Milwaukee Bucks a good old-fashioned beatdown to avenge their Wednesday-night loss to the team.
Now, they'll look to stay hot on the second night of a back-to-back as they travel to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Thunder have been up-and-down this season and hold a 19-25 record. They're not contenders in the Western Conference, especially since Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is sidelined.
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Gilgeous-Alexander is dealing with a foot injury and will miss significant time. That includes Saturday's game against the C's. He leads the Thunder in points per game (23.7) and assists per game (5.9), so needless to say, his absence will loom large.
That said, the Celtics are also set to be a bit shorthanded. Kemba Walker (rest/knee) will sit out the latter end of a back-to-back while Tristan Thompson (health and safety protocols), Romeo Langford (health and safety protocols), and Semi Ojeleye (left side) remain out as well.
However, the biggest news is that Evan Fournier, the C's biggest trade deadline acquisition, is also out due to the league's health and safety protocols. That could push his timeline for his Celtics debut further into the future.
Boston Celtics
Celtics vs. Thunder: How to watch, TV channel and live stream
When: Saturday, March 24 at 9 p.m. ET
TV channel: NBC Sports Boston
Live stream: NBC Sports Boston or the MyTeams App
Be sure to tune into NBC Sports Boston at 8:30 p.m. for "Celtics Pregame Live" presented by TD Bank. We will have complete coverage after the final buzzer with "Celtics Postgame Live" presented by Your New England Ford Dealers. You can watch both shows on the MyTeams App or by clicking here.