Tatum out, Nesmith upgraded to “questionable” for Celtics vs. Cavs

The Boston Celtics will be a little healthier than they were in their 122 – 110 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night, but only just barely as several key players remain out in their Sunday evening tilt with a streaking Cleveland Cavaliers franchise.

The Cavs, who have won their last three games (including a pair against the new-look Brooklyn Nets), are no pushovers any more as point guard Collin Sexton is coming into his own this season as a player, but they will still be without a few players of their own. Veteran big man Kevin Love will sit with a calf strain and old foe Matthew Dellavedova is still working his way through the league’s concussion protocol.

Cleveland will also have center Marques Bolden and forward Lamar Stevens assigned to their G League affiliate for the contest.

The Celtics will continue to sit All-NBA swingman Jayson Tatum as he ramps up for a return from a long absence in the league’s health and safety protocols following an asymptomatic COVID-19 diagnosis, which second-year guard Carsen Edwards will remain in for this game at least as well.

Wing Romeo Langford (wrist) is also out for the contest, but may be getting closer to a return sometime next month. Rookie Aaron Nesmith has been upgraded from “doubtful” to “questionable” for the game, but is probably not going to play even so given he tweaked something in his back not long ago.

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