NBA Player News

Queta (rest) isn't in line to play Thursday against Cleveland, Zack Cox of the Boston Herald reports.

Boston seems to be holding out their expected starters for this exhibition. Luka Garza is getting a chance to start at center for the Celtics on Thursday.

Tomlin (back) won't play in Thursday's preseason game against Boston, Serena Winters of FanDuel Sports Network Ohio reports.

Tomlin is dealing with lower-back soreness and will be held out of Cleveland's preseason opener. His next chance to suit up in the preseason will come Sunday against Orlando.

Gonzalez will start in Thursday's preseason game versus the Cavaliers, Bobby Krivitsky of Forbes.com reports.

Gonzalez is auditioning for a prominent role in the rotation, so he will need to be at his best during the preseason. The 20-year-old started three times during the 2025-26 campaign, averaging 6.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.0 blocks and 1.7 steals over 22.0 minutes per contest in those appearances.

Tyson will start Thursday's preseason game against the Celtics, Serena Winters of FanDuel Sports Network Ohio reports.

With James Harden (ankle) unavailable, Tyson will enter the starting five in the Cavaliers' preseason opener. He'll be joined in the first unit by Donovan Mitchell, Peyton Watson, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.

Watson (hamstring) will start Thursday's preseason game against the Celtics, Serena Winters of FanDuel Sports Network Ohio reports.

Watson is likely to begin the regular season in a starting role, and he will get the starting nod in Cleveland's preseason opener. He'll be joined in the first unit by Donovan Mitchell, Jaylon Tyson, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.

George (rest) isn't in line to play Thursday versus Cleveland, Zack Cox of the Boston Herald reports.

The Celtics are holding several key contributors out of the starting lineup Thursday. Jordan Walsh is drawing the start at power forward.

Conley will start in Thursday's preseason game against Cleveland, Bobby Krivitsky of Forbes.com reports.

Conley signed a one-year deal with the Celtics in July and will get the start in Boston's first preseason game of the 2026-27 campaign. The 2007 No. 4 overall pick started in 15 games for the Timberwolves in 2025-26, averaging 7.5 points, 3.9 assists, 2.2 rebounds and 1.1 steals over 24.1 minutes per contest in those appearances.

Harden (ankle) has been ruled out for Thursday's preseason game against the Celtics, Serena Winters of FanDuel Sports Network Ohio reports.

Harden is dealing with right ankle soreness and will be held out of Cleveland's preseason opener. With the veteran guard sidelined, Jaylon Tyson will join Donovan Mitchell, Peyton Watson, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen in the starting five.

Tatum (rest) isn't in line to play Thursday against Cleveland, Zack Cox of the Boston Herald reports.

Boston looks to be resting their starters for this exhibition. Hugo Gonzalez is starting at small forward Thursday.

White (rest) isn't in line to play Thursday against Cleveland, Zack Cox of the Boston Herald reports.

The Celtics appear to be resting their starters for this exhibition. Mike Conley is starting at point guard Thursday.