Jaylen Brown is questionable, while Jayson Tatum is out for Friday’s Pelicans vs. Celtics game at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Brown was absent on Thursday, April 9, and Tatum will be out for the first time since March 30. Both players were out on March 2, and Celtics G Derrick White responded by recording 18 points. Pick More or Less for Derrick White’s 16.5 points projection tonight on PrizePicks.
Below, we'll break down the latest Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum injury updates and who to target on PrizePicks if the Celtics’ top players are out.
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Celtics Injury Update: Will Brown and Tatum Play Tonight vs. Pelicans?
The NBA injury report has Tatum officially out due to injury management for his Achilles injury, which held him out until March 6 this season.
Brown missed games on March 27, March 29, and April 9 due to his Achilles tendinitis. He is questionable for Friday’s game, potentially missing his second consecutive game from the injury.
The Celtics need one win or one Knicks loss over the last two regular-season games to clinch the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. Will Boston elect to rest for the postseason or look to roll out a full rotation to lock up the No. 2 seed on Friday night?
What Players to Target on PrizePicks if Brown and Tatum Are Out?
Alongside Brown and Tatum on the injury report, Celtics G Derrick White (knee), F Sam Hauser (back), and C Neemias Queta (toe) are listed as probable. If Brown is active, Tatum will be the only absence from the regular rotation.
According to PrizePicks Team Picks, Boston is a massive 17.5-point favorite vs. the Pelicans. This is aided by New Orleans F Trey Murphy III (ankle), PF Zion Williamson (knee), and G Dejounte Murray (hand) all being out.
Perhaps this will convince Boston to give Brown another night of rest. If that’s the case, FantasyLabs gives the largest increases in usage rate to G Derrick White (+8.5%), Payton Pritchard (+7.1%), and C Nikola Vucevic (+5.7%) when Brown and Tatum are off the court.
Furthermore, G Baylor Scheierman played for 26 minutes in Tatum’s last absence and for 30 minutes in Thursday’s game without Brown in the lineup — elevated from 19.4 minutes per game in April.
Here are the Celtics players who may benefit most on PrizePicks if Brown and Tatum are out — and their stat projections for Friday night.
- G Derrick White — 16.5 Points / 26.5 Pts+Rebs+Asts
- G Payton Pritchard — 16.5 Points (Goblin) / 9.5 Rebs+Asts
- G Baylor Scheierman — 9.5 Points / 17.5 Pts+Rebs+Asts / 1.5 Made 3-pointers (Goblin)
When Brown was out on Thursday, Scheierman recorded 20 points while making 6 of 7 3-point attempts (85.7%). The Pelicans have one of the NBA’s worst defenses, allowing a 44.0% 3-point shot distribution (25th), per Dunks & Threes.
Pick More or Less Celtics player stats on PrizePicks now before 7:30 p.m. ET tip.
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Make Pelicans vs. Celtics Picks on PrizePicks
If Brown and Tatum are inactive, the Celtics’ backcourt still features plenty of options vs. the Pelicans, including White, Pritchard, and Scheierman.
Don't wait until lock — make your Pelicans vs. Celtics picks on PrizePicks now and earn real money if you're right.
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