The Boston Celtics will face a familiar foe—and a potentially new one—when they visit the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night. While the Warriors will be without star Stephen Curry due to a persistent knee injury, they are hopeful that newly acquired Kristaps Porzingis will make his debut. The game, set for 10 p.m. Eastern at Chase Center in San Francisco, will be broadcast on Amazon Prime and NBC Sports Boston.
Curry has been sidelined since January 30th with right patellofemoral pain syndrome, commonly known as “runner’s knee.” Warriors coach Steve Kerr stated Wednesday that Curry “just wasn’t where he needed to be” to play against the Celtics, adding they’ll have an update after further evaluation by the training staff. The injury has proven frustrating for both Curry and the team, as it likewise kept him out of the All-Star game despite being a starter. The Warriors are proceeding cautiously, wanting to avoid exacerbating the issue and risking a longer absence for their key player.
Meanwhile, all eyes are on Porzingis, who was acquired by the Warriors at the trade deadline. He has indicated he’s ready to take the court, telling reporters he was “ready to go.” Porzingis has been working his way back from Achilles tendinitis, having played just 17 games this season and averaging 17.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.3 blocked shots. His addition provides a significant boost to the Warriors’ frontcourt, but his availability remains officially listed as questionable.
Celtics Enter as Favorites
The Celtics, currently holding the second seed in the Eastern Conference with a record of 35-19, are favored by 5.5 points, according to betting lines. The over/under is set at 211.5. Boston is 7-3 in their last 10 games, but have struggled against the spread recently, going 5-5 in that span. They’ll be without Jayson Tatum, who continues to rehab an Achilles injury sustained last May.
The Warriors, currently eighth in the Western Conference at 29-26, have had a less consistent stretch, going 4-6 in their last 10 games. They are 3-7 against the spread during that period. Golden State’s recent form has been somewhat uneven, and they’ll need a strong performance to challenge a strong Celtics team, even without Curry in the lineup.
Statistical Matchup
Both teams are potent offensive squads, averaging over 115 points per game. The Celtics average 115.3 points, while the Warriors are close behind at 115.5. However, the Celtics boast a stronger defensive record, allowing just 108.4 points per game compared to the Warriors’ 113.7. Both teams shoot well from three-point range, with the Warriors leading the NBA in made three-pointers with 897, while the Celtics are third with 831.
Here’s a closer glance at the team statistics:
| Statistic | Boston Celtics | Golden State Warriors |
|---|---|---|
| Season Record | 35-19 | 29-26 |
| Points Per Game | 115.3 | 115.5 |
| Points Allowed Per Game | 108.4 | 113.7 |
| Field Goal Percentage | .467 | .461 |
Looking Ahead
The Warriors will be looking to regain momentum after a somewhat shaky stretch before the All-Star break. A win against a top Eastern Conference team like the Celtics would be a significant confidence boost. The Celtics, meanwhile, will aim to continue their strong form and maintain their position near the top of the Eastern Conference standings. The team will provide an update on Tatum’s rehabilitation timeline following the game.
Following Thursday’s game, the Warriors will continue their homestand, facing the Phoenix Suns on February 23rd. The Celtics will travel to Milwaukee to take on the Bucks on February 25th.
What are your predictions for tonight’s game? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
