Celtics hit road, expect tough battle vs. Timberwolves

The Boston Celtics might need to provide extra ice packs for their upcoming road trip, and guard Jrue Holiday is perfectly OK with that.

"Teams are challenging us," Holiday said. "I think the game is becoming more physical, which is good. I think that's a benefit for us where we can do the same."

Boston will open its four-game trip with a matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday night in Minneapolis.

The Celtics are coming off a 54-point rout over the Toronto Raptors on New Year's Eve. The victory capped an incredible 2024 calendar year for the defending NBA champion, which once again has title aspirations as it turns its focus to 2025.

A late addition to the injury report could make the Celtics' task more challenging on Thursday.

Celtics forward Jaylen Brown is listed as questionable to play because of a right shoulder strain. Brown is averaging 24.4 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.6 assists in 28 starts this season.

Celtics forward Kristaps Porzingis also is listed as questionable because of a sprained left ankle. Porzingis, who has missed three straight games due to the injury, is averaging 18.3 points and 6.4 rebounds in 11 starts.

Minnesota also has a couple of injured players, but none that typically occupy the starting lineup. Rookie guard Rob Dillingham is listed as out for Thursday's game because of a right ankle sprain, and reserve big man Luka Garza also has been ruled out because of a sprain to his left ankle, which has sidelined him for the last six games.

Anthony Edwards leads the Timberwolves with 24.8 points per game on 44.3 percent shooting. Julius Randle is second with 19.9 points to go along with 6.9 rebounds per game.

Timberwolves coach Chris Finch is most concerned with another statistic: turnovers. He said his team was too sloppy with the ball (23 turnovers) in its latest game, a 113-105 loss to the host Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday.

"If we don't turn the ball over, we can control this game," Finch said. "No doubt about it."

One player who has returned to the lineup for Boston is Holiday, who came back Tuesday after a three-game absence because of a shoulder injury. He finished with 14 points and made 4 of 5 attempts from beyond the arc.

Holiday joked that the source of his shoulder injury might have repaired his 3-point shot.

"Maybe the hit is what helped it," Holiday said. "Maybe it got my shoulder in line."

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla recently challenged his team to be more active on defense.

Holiday said that fits his basketball personality well.

"I think it's just about being active and using your instincts," Holiday said. "That's something that I always like to do -- think the game, especially on the defensive end. Be able to get deflections, start the break and things like that. It's definitely fun for me, being more active."

This is the second and final matchup of the regular season between the teams. Boston won the first game 107-105 at home on Nov. 24.

Brown led the Celtics with 29 points in that game. Jayson Tatum added 26 points and eight rebounds, and Derrick White chipped in 19 points and nine rebounds.

Edwards finished with 28 points, nine rebounds and seven assists against Boston. Randle added 23 points, and Rudy Gobert posted 10 points and 20 rebounds.

--Field Level Media