The Boston Celtics are forced to reinvent their rotation on the fly as they prepare to face the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night. With key contributors sidelined by injuries, head coach Joe Mazzulla is turning to an unconventional starting five that features two-way contract players and deep bench talent.
The most significant absence is All-Star guard Jaylen Brown, who is dealing with left hamstring tightness and a right knee contusion. Brown was initially listed as doubtful for the matchup and even participated in pre-game warm-ups before the medical staff ultimately ruled him out. Joining him on the inactive list is sharpshooter Sam Hauser, who is nursing a thumb sprain. Both players traveled with the team to Houston, suggesting their injuries are being managed with caution rather than representing long-term concerns.
In their place, Mazzulla is deploying a lineup that would have seemed improbable just weeks ago. The new starting five consists of established regulars Derrick White and Neemias Queta, alongside three players who have spent most of the season on the fringes of the rotation: Baylor Scheierman, Ron Harper Jr., and Luka Garza.
This marks a watershed moment for Harper Jr., a two-way player who will make his first career NBA start. The 25-year-old has been a dominant force in the G League this season but has seen limited action at the highest level, logging just 35 minutes across seven appearances for Boston. His opportunity arrives not a moment too soon, as he is also scheduled to represent the Celtics at the Rising Stars game in Los Angeles later this month.
Mazzulla's decision to thrust Harper Jr. into the starting lineup speaks volumes about the trust the coaching staff has developed in the young guard. "I watch him work out when he's with us — the side of that is the professionalism," Mazzulla explained. "So, when he gets there early, he's in the weight room doing what he's supposed to be doing. He's in the treatment room if he needs to be. He communicates at a high level. There's just a level of trust there."
The Celtics' head coach has emphasized that Harper Jr.'s work ethic and attention to detail have made him a reliable option despite his limited NBA experience. His inclusion in the starting unit alongside more seasoned players demonstrates Boston's commitment to rewarding development and maintaining their competitive standard regardless of personnel limitations.
For Baylor Scheierman, Wednesday's start represents his second consecutive appearance in the opening lineup and his sixth start of the season overall. The second-year wing has carved out a niche as a defensive specialist, often drawing the assignment of guarding the opponent's most dangerous perimeter threat. While his offensive numbers have been modest — he's averaging 13.6 minutes per game across 45 appearances, shooting 40.7% from the field — his value lies in his versatility and willingness to embrace unglamorous roles.
Mazzulla recently praised Scheierman's evolution, noting, "He's developed into a utility guy for us defensively." With Pritchard seemingly settled into a sixth-man role for the immediate future, Scheierman appears poised to become a fixture in the starting lineup, providing defensive intensity and floor-spacing while the team's stars recover.
The frontcourt rotation receives a boost from Luka Garza, who will make his second start of the season after delivering a 16-point performance in his previous opportunity. The third-year center has been a revelation since cementing his place in the rotation in late December, averaging 7.9 points and 4.3 rebounds per game while leading the team with a scorching 47.6% three-point shooting percentage.
Garza's ability to stretch the floor as a big man has given Mazzulla valuable lineup flexibility, and his recent production suggests he's more than capable of handling increased responsibilities. His journey from fringe player to rotation staple mirrors that of his fellow two-way teammates, highlighting the Celtics' depth and developmental success.
Perhaps the most intriguing strategic decision involves Payton Pritchard, who will come off the bench for the second straight game despite dropping 26 points in his previous outing. Pritchard has embraced his role as the team's sixth man with characteristic team-first attitude, recognizing the strategic advantage it provides.
"You see how our team is constructed, you need somebody to bench to handle the rock, and it's good, D-White comes out, I come in, and there's always somebody that can bring it up, get us into the flow, stuff like that," Pritchard explained. "So, it just makes the most sense for our team."
His willingness to sacrifice personal accolades for team success exemplifies the Celtics' culture and allows Mazzulla to maintain offensive continuity throughout the game. Pritchard's scoring punch off the bench gives Boston a dynamic weapon against second-unit defenses while preserving the starting lineup's defensive integrity.
The absence of Chris Boucher for personal reasons further thins the frontcourt depth, though his situation appears unrelated to the team's injury concerns. Additionally, two-way player Max Shulga remains in Boston, leaving Harper Jr. as the only two-way contributor available for the Rockets matchup.
This perfect storm of absences has created an unexpected opportunity for Boston's developmental pipeline to shine. The Celtics have long prided themselves on their ability to cultivate talent through their G League affiliate and two-way contracts, and Wednesday's game serves as a testament to that system's effectiveness.
The decision to start two big men in Queta and Garza alongside three perimeter players suggests Mazzulla is prioritizing size and defensive versatility against a Rockets team known for their athleticism and attacking style. This double-big lineup could provide the Celtics with an advantage on the glass while maintaining enough spacing to keep the offense functional.
As the Celtics navigate this challenging stretch of the schedule, the performances of these fringe rotation players could have long-term implications for the playoff rotation. In previous seasons, players who stepped up during injury crises have often earned permanent spots in the coaching staff's trust circle, and Harper Jr., Scheierman, and Garza are now auditioning for precisely that opportunity.
The organization's patience with player development is being rewarded at a critical juncture. Rather than scrambling for external solutions or overtaxing their stars, the Celtics can turn to homegrown talent that understands the system and has been preparing for this moment behind the scenes.
Wednesday's matchup against Houston represents more than just a regular season game; it's a validation of Boston's organizational philosophy and a chance for unsung heroes to etch their names into the team's narrative. With the injured players traveling alongside the team, the hope is that this experimental lineup will be a short-term solution rather than a long-term necessity.
However, the confidence Mazzulla has shown in these players suggests that even when the stars return, some of these newfound contributors may have carved out permanent niches in the rotation. The Celtics' ability to maintain their championship aspirations while integrating developmental players could prove to be the difference-maker in a grueling playoff run.