NBA Player News

Harper will start Wednesday against the Rockets, Lachard Binkley of SI.com reports.

Harper has made just seven appearances for the Celtics this season and played a total of 35 minutes, but he'll get the starting nod Wednesday with Jaylen Brown (hamstring/knee) out. Joining Harper in the first unit will be Derrick White, Baylor Scheierman, Luka Garza and Neemias Queta.

Garza is in the Celtics' starting lineup against the Rockets on Wednesday, Lachard Binkley of SI.com reports.

With Nikola Vucevic (recently traded) yet to make his Celtics debut and Jaylen Brown (hamstring) and Sam Hauser (thumb) both sidelined, Garza will make his second start of the season Wednesday, when he'll form a frontcourt with Neemias Queta. Garza has logged double-digit points in three of his last four outings, and over that span he has averaged 10.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.3 threes and 0.8 steals over 18.3 minutes per game.

Booker (ankle) is listed as out for Thursday's game against Golden State.

Booker has been making strong progress in his recovery from a sprained right ankle, but he's not quite ready to retake the hardwood. The star guard has missed six straight games due to the injury, and his absence has allowed Grayson Allen to enter the starting lineup. Booker's next chance to play will come Saturday against the 76ers.

Green (hamstring/hip) is questionable for Thursday's game versus the Warriors.

Green has missed the past two contests with hip and hamstring issues, and that number could hit three Thursday evening. If Green is out again, Collin Gillespie and Grayson Allen will continue to do the heavy lifting on offense, and there will be more minutes available for Jordan Goodwin.

Vucevic (recently traded) will be unavailable for Wednesday's game against the Rockets.

Vucevic was dealt from Chicago to Boston on Tuesday, but he's not quite ready to make his Celtics debut. Once he's settled in with his new team, the veteran center is likely to supplant Neemias Queta in the starting lineup. Vucevic's next chance to play will come Friday against Miami.

Brown (hamstring/knee) won't play Wednesday versus the Rockets, Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe reports.

Brown will hit the sidelines for the second leg of a back-to-back due to a sore right knee and tightness in his left hamstring, and for now, he should be considered questionable for Friday's game against the Heat. Jordan Walsh and Hugo Gonzalez should see a bump in minutes with Brown unavailable, while Derrick White and Payton Pritchard will be tasked with the heavy lifting on offense.

Cryer (hamstring) is questionable for Thursday's game against Phoenix.

Cryer has missed four straight games due to a left hamstring injury, but he has a chance to return Thursday night. The two-way guard has appeared in merely three NBA games this season.

Curry (knee) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Suns.

Curry will miss a second consecutive game while working through a right knee injury, and his next opportunity to play is Saturday against the Lakers. Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody and Gui Santos should continue to operate in expanded roles for as long as Curry is sidelined.

McCullar (calf) will be active for Wednesday's game against Denver after being recalled from the G League's Westchester Knicks.

McCullar has been tending to a calf injury recently and hasn't made an appearance for New York or Westchester since Jan. 17, but he's apparently healthy enough to provide depth on the wing for the parent club Wednesday. Over his 10 appearances with New York this season, McCullar has averaged 2.8 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 8.6 minutes per contest.

Turner (ankle) is available for Wednesday's game against the Pelicans.

Turner popped up on the injury report as probable due to a left ankle sprain, but the veteran center has been given the green light to play in Wednesday's interconference clash. He has averaged 18.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 2.0 threes, 3.0 blocks and 1.2 steals over 30.4 minutes per game in his last five outings.