Shams: Nikola Vučević to Magic on one-year deal

With Neemias Queta being removed from the starting lineup for Game 7, this appeared to be a spot in which Vučević would have an opportunity to start on Saturday. However, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla decided to go with Luka Garza, who played nine minutes and recorded just one blocked shot. Vučević’s production was limited throughout the series, which led to him not playing at all in Game 7. When allowed to start and log heavy minutes, as he did in Chicago, Vučević has been a positive fantasy asset in recent seasons. However, the limited production after being traded to Boston may affect his market in free agency this summer. Vooch has top-50 potential as a starter, but that kind of role may not be available to him at this stage. At least for a team with championship aspirations.

Vučević will be sidelined for this game, as expected. The Celtics already clinched the No. 2 seed in the East, so he’ll get some extra rest before the playoffs. Amari Williams should play a significant role down low.

The Celtics, who secured the No. 2 seed in the East with Friday’s win over the Pelicans, will sit most of their key rotation players on Sunday. Pritchard and Hauser not playing would free up additional minutes for some of Boston’s rarely used perimeter reserves, including Ron Harper Jr. As for Vučević, his absence would open a spot in the rotation for Amari Williams.

Queta is good to go after initially being questionable for Thursday’s game. He’ll take on his usual role as the Celtics’ starting center, with Nikola Vučević serving as his backup.

Hauser is dealing with lower back spasms, and Queta has a sprained right great toe. The latter’s absence would free up rotation minutes for Luka Garza and Nikola Vučević, and Vooch could use a few more minutes as he shakes off the rust following an extended absence due to a fractured hand. Hauser sitting out opens up playing time for Ron Harper Jr.

Available for the first time since March 6, Vučević appeared a bit rusty on Sunday. Obviously, plus/minus does not tell the complete story for any player, but the veteran center was a minus-14 in 13 minutes of play. Luka Garza, who filled in admirably as the backup center in Vučević’s absence, was a DNP-CD on Sunday. Boston has four games remaining in the regular season, so Vučević will have time to get into a groove before the playoffs.

Sunday’s game will be the first for Vučević since March 6, when he fractured his finger during a game against the Mavericks. His return likely means fewer minutes for Luka Garza.

With Vučević’s status change for Sunday’s game, there is a real chance he gets in a few games before the playoffs. That would help remove some of the rust that the veteran center may be dealing with. Luka Garza has served as the backup center, but that will clearly change once Vooch is healthy enough to play.

Vučević fractured his right ring finger during the first quarter of Friday’s game against the Mavericks and exited moments later. The reported four-week absence means that he won’t be a factor in fantasy basketball outside of leagues that run through the final week of the NBA’s regular season. Luka Garza has moved into the backup center role, but he should only be considered in extremely deep fantasy leagues.

On the night that they welcomed Jayson Tatum back into the fold, the Celtics lost another member of their rotation. Vučević fractured his right ring finger during his first stint on the court, exiting moments later. Luka Garza has moved into the rotation to serve as the backup center, and that may be his job for the foreseeable future.