The final injury report is in for Hawks-Celtics, and it reshapes both teams’ plans hours before tip-off. Atlanta will be without Kristaps Porzingis, Zaccharie Risacher, and N’Faly Dante, while Boston moves forward without Jayson Tatum and, as of game day, without Neemias Queta due to illness. Add a string of questionable tags for other Celtics, and we have a matchup where depth and discipline matter as much as star power.

Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. Eastern at TD Garden in Boston on January 28, 2026. The headline names may be missing, but the stakes are simple: execute, protect the glass, and make the most of shortened rotations.

Who’s out, who’s in doubt

Both medical reports are heavy. Here’s the confirmed picture heading into the night:

• Atlanta Hawks OUT: Kristaps Porzingis (left Achilles tendinitis), Zaccharie Risacher (left knee bone contusion/inflammation), N’Faly Dante (right ACL tear – season-ending).
• Boston Celtics OUT: Jayson Tatum (right Achilles repair surgery – long-term recovery); Neemias Queta (illness – ruled out on game day per multiple sources).
• Boston Celtics QUESTIONABLE: Luka Garza (illness), Josh Minott (left ankle sprain), Payton Pritchard (left ankle soreness), Chris Boucher (illness).

That list means both coaches will ask more of role players. It also means the first substitution patterns could decide rhythm and momentum early.

“If Jaylen is 1A tonight, Derrick has to be 1B — simple.”

Boston’s blueprint without Tatum and Queta

With Tatum still on a long recovery track, Boston has leaned into Jaylen Brown as the main scorer. Expect him to set the tone with strong drives, mid-range pull-ups, and catch-and-shoot threes. The burden then shifts to Derrick White and Al Horford to steer the offense and keep the ball popping.

White’s handle and decision-making matter most when Boston’s spacing tightens. He can run the pick-and-roll, hit the pocket pass, or step into clean threes if Atlanta sags. Horford’s value shows up everywhere: as a pick-and-pop big, a connector with quick passes from the high post, and a steady defender who calls coverages.

Queta’s absence changes Boston’s size and rim protection off the bench. It could push more small-ball minutes, asking wings to rebound in a crowd and switch across more actions. If Payton Pritchard is cleared, his shooting and pace help stabilize second units; if he’s limited, more on-ball touches flow to White and secondary creators on the wing.

One more note: with several Celtics tagged questionable, Boston’s rotation could swing from nine players to something closer to seven and a half. That puts a premium on staying out of foul trouble and winning the energy stats — loose balls, tip-outs, and transition defense.

“Queta being out hurts the size battle — second chances might decide it.”

Atlanta’s adjustment without Porzingis, Risacher, and Dante

Atlanta will be missing three frontcourt pieces: Porzingis (left Achilles tendinitis), Risacher (left knee), and Dante (season-ending ACL). That trims size, shooting, and depth. It also simplifies the plan: the ball will live in Trae Young’s hands.

Young’s usage should spike. Expect heavy pick-and-roll, quick-hitting pull-ups, and skip passes to test Boston’s help defense. If he finds rhythm early, it bends the floor and opens lanes for cutters and rollers.

Onyeka Okongwu becomes central as a screen-and-dive threat, a rim runner in transition, and a rebound anchor. Jalen Johnson’s two-way game can fill gaps — pushing off the glass, attacking closeouts, and guarding multiple spots. With the bench thinner, the Hawks need clean rotations on defense and decisive shots on offense to keep pace.

“Trae’s usage is going through the roof — can Boston blitz without Tatum’s length?”

Matchup keys: tempo, paint touches, and turnovers

Without some headliners, both teams will chase advantages that don’t require star shot-making every trip.

• Tempo: Boston can run off defensive rebounds if the floor is balanced. Atlanta may prefer controlled pace to keep rotations tidy and avoid live-ball turnovers.
• Paint touches: No Queta and multiple frontcourt absences mean both sides must gang rebound. Paint points, put-backs, and free throws could tell the story.
• Three-point quality: Brown, White, and Horford generate solid looks when the ball moves. For Atlanta, Young’s gravity creates corner threes; hitting league-average from deep keeps Boston honest.
• Turnovers: With short benches, empty trips hurt twice. The team that wins the turnover battle likely wins the shot-volume battle, too.
• Foul discipline: Key starters logging heavy minutes can’t afford early fouls. Smart contests and verticality matter around the rim.

Why it matters tonight

Games like this reveal a team’s backbone. When stars sit, the habits and details take over. For Boston, it’s about organized offense without Tatum and protecting the glass without Queta. For Atlanta, it’s about making Trae Young’s touches count and getting enough from role players to carry long stretches.

The rotations are shorter, the margin for error slimmer, and the roles clearer. That often produces a gritty kind of basketball — fewer frills, more fundamentals.

Game details at a glance

• Matchup: Atlanta Hawks at Boston Celtics
• Tip-off: 7:30 p.m. ET
• Location: TD Garden, Boston, MA
• Date: January 28, 2026

Injury lists can change a game plan, but they don’t change the goal. Execute the simple stuff, and you give yourself a chance late. Fail at the basics, and the night gets long in a hurry.

Expect Jaylen Brown to take center stage for Boston, with Derrick White and Al Horford shaping the flow. Expect Trae Young to orchestrate for Atlanta, with Onyeka Okongwu and Jalen Johnson fighting on the interior and in transition. The healthier bench, the cleaner possessions, and the stronger team on the glass should walk out with the win.

It may not be flashy, but it will be telling — a January test that will say a lot about where each group is headed in the weeks to come.