Celtics' injury issues are an untold issue

The Boston Celtics currently sit second in the Eastern Conference, with a 23-8 record. On Friday, the reigning NBA champions sent a message to the rest of the league as they tore apart the Indiana Pacers, 142-105. That game was a rematch of last season's Eastern Conference Finals. 

Despite their current standing, the Celtics went into that matchup against the Pacers with mounting pressure on their shoulders. They had lost three of their last four games and needed to halt their slide. 

When looking at Boston's record, it's easy to see a championship-level team taking care of business. Being ranked third in offensive rating and seventh in defensive rating would further strengthen that viewpoint. 

However, when you look a little closer, you will see a team struggling to rediscover its identity from last season. In the 31 games Boston has played this year, its core starting five — Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and Kristaps Porzingis—have played just 187 possessions together.

To put those numbers into perspective, the Celtics have played 2948 possessions this season, per Cleaning The Glass, which automatically filters out garbage time. As such, Joe Mazzulla has had his first-choice starting five available for 6.3% of qualifying possessions. Therefore, it should be no surprise that the Celtics have struggled to reach the heights of last season. 

What's worrying is that Sam Hauser continues to nurse a lower back issue, which has clearly impacted his on-court production on the perimeter. Porzingis continues to look fragile on the court, as showcased against the Philadelphia 76ers on Christmas Day. And Jrue Holiday is nursing an issue that has seen his overall impact regress to begin the season.

Boston still has championship expectations on its shoulders, and rightfully so. However, the team's current injury issues and the lack of coverage surrounding the potential pitfalls are placing unfair expectations on the team and the coaching staff.

The Celtics deserve praise for handling the season so far. They have the third-best record in the league, and injuries and inconsistent lineups haven't derailed their push for success. If Mazzulla can get his primary rotation back in time for the postseason, they should have no problem forcing their way back to the NBA Finals for the third time in four years.