Towns Plays Through Quad; Celtics Face Major Injuries

Injury concerns are clouding early-season outlooks for Eastern Conference teams. The Boston Celtics could be without Jayson Tatum — recovering from a torn Achilles and expected to miss most or all of 2025–26 — while Jaylen Brown is listed as questionable with a left hamstring strain; Derrick White has been cleared to play and reserve Luka Garza is now probable after a concussion. Other Eastern players dealing with issues include Jaden Ivey sidelined after knee arthroscopy and Caris LeVert and Marcus Sasser listed as doubtful. Meanwhile New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns disclosed a Grade 2 quadriceps strain but started and scored 19 points and 11 rebounds in the season-opening 119–111 win over Cleveland. Towns did not warm up before the game, said it “was hurting” but didn’t want to disappoint fans, and his availability for the Knicks’ upcoming game at Boston is uncertain as New York also missed Mitchell Robinson and Josh Hart.