Celtics Make Key Injury Announcement Before Game 3 vs. Knicks

Now the Knicks have forced the Celtics into a must-win situation due to the fact that no team has ever overcome a 3-0 series deficit in NBA playoff history.

While the Celtics are in a must-win situation, it also feels as though the Knicks are in the same situation as they have a chance to almost end the series on Saturday night.

Ahead of Saturday’s Game 3 matchup, the Celtics made a major injury announcement regarding one of their key players.

Boston announced that they have ruled out Sam Hauser due to an ankle injury that he suffered in Game 1 and then caused him to be sidelined in Game 2.

This is a massive blow for the Celtics as Hauser has been a key piece off the bench for them this season, especially to begin the playoffs.

In six playoff games, the 27-year-old forward is averaging 2.7 points and 1.3 rebounds per game while shooting 46.2% from the field and 36.4% from three-point range.

With Hauser out, the Celtics are expected to remain with their eight-man rotation with Payton Pritchard, Luke Kornet and either Kristaps Porzingis or Al Horford being the main three players to come off the bench.

While Hauser is sidelined for Saturday’s game, the good news for Boston is that Porzingis is off the injury report entirely after being limited in the first two games due to an illness, though it is unclear whether he will remain limited in Game 3.

Fans can catch Saturday’s Game 3 matchup between the Celtics and Knicks at 3:30 p.m. EST on ABC.