Celtics list eight key players as out for preseason opener vs. Cavaliers

The Boston Celtics will open their preseason without eight established rotation pieces, according to a report published Saturday. For the Celtics’ preseason opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, Paul George, Mitchell Robinson, Neemias Queta, Sam Hauser, Ron Harper Jr. and Payton Pritchard are listed as out.

Preseason games often serve a dual purpose, giving coaches a look at lineup combinations and giving players a controlled return to basketball activities after training camp. In that context, Boston’s approach appears aimed at limiting workload for core players and other key contributors while the team builds continuity on the floor with a deeper group.

Tatum’s absence is notable because he is typically the focal point of Boston’s offense and a major engine for late-game creation. White and Hauser also figure prominently in the Celtics’ day-to-day identity, with White often handling on-ball and transition responsibilities and Hauser providing floor spacing that can stretch opposing defenses. With those players out for the opening game, Boston’s offensive load is likely to shift to the group available for extended runs during the preseason.

The Celtics’ list of absences also includes Paul George, who would be expected to impact Boston’s wing and half-court shot-making if he were available. Mitchell Robinson and Neemias Queta are both listed out as well, removing two players who can affect the game through rim protection, rebounding, and interior pressure. With two of Boston’s frontcourt options sidelined for the opener, the Celtics’ minutes distribution inside will likely emphasize the availability of other bigs on the roster.

Ron Harper Jr. and Payton Pritchard are the final names on Boston’s out list for the preseason opener. In preseason settings, players at that tier of the rotation are often tasked with establishing trust through consistent reads, ball movement, and defensive effort, especially with a reduced number of high-usage starters in the game. Boston’s coaching staff will have a clearer picture of depth-level roles by how those players perform in the minutes they are given.

For Cleveland, the matchup gives an early look at how the Cavaliers handle a team that is not deploying its usual combination of top-end talent and core-system pieces. It is also a chance for Cleveland’s players competing for larger roles to prove they can create advantages against a Celtics group that will still be searching for its best lineups.

What to watch next is how Boston manages the rest of the preseason and whether this list reflects routine rest, scheduled workload management, or a longer stretch of missed time for the players named. Preseason availability can change quickly from opener to opener, so the next game’s injury report or availability update will be important for tracking the Celtics’ timeline toward their regular-season rotation.

Even with eight players out, the preseason still matters for team-building and evaluation. For Boston, the opener is likely to function as a proof-of-concept for combinations built around whoever is available, while also offering clarity on which supporting players can execute the Celtics’ style when the usual stars are not on the floor.