Celtics making major change to lineup for elimination game

Ahead of a potential elimination game Thursday night in Philadelphia, the Boston Celtics have opted to swap center Robert Williams III into their starting lineup for guard Derrick White, according to Shams Charania and Jared Weiss of The Athletic.

The Sixers, led by newly minted league MVP Joel Embiid and veteran point guard James Harden, currently lead Boston 3-2, and have an opportunity to advance to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 22 years with a home victory Thursday night.

As The Athletic insiders note, Williams had served as the team’s All-Defensive Team starting center during Boston’s 2021-22 season, which resulted in an NBA Finals run. Injuries have limited his availability this season, and he has been used in more of a reserve capacity, with White replacing him in a smaller first five.

“Just [gives] us a different look,” Mazzulla said of the switch, according to Weiss. “Rob gives us a lift on the defensive end.”

Sources inform Charania and Weiss that backup guard Payton Pritchard could also see additional time Thursday night, after enjoying an active run in mop-up duty during the end of a Game 5 blowout loss.