The Boston Celtics are set to play the Toronto Raptors in an Easter Sunday game on April 5.
The Celtics have been one of the strongest teams all season, led by Jaylen Brown while Jayson Tatum was out with a torn ACL. However, since Tatum has returned, Boston has looked even stronger, and expects to close out the regular season strong in hopes of making another deep playoff push.
Before the game, the Celtics announced their starting lineup and final injury report for the game against the Raptors, coming shortly after Nikola Vucevic‘s final injury status was revealed.
Boston Celtics Starting Lineup Vs Raptors
GettyJayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics and Jaylen Brown laugh together during the second half of the game against the New York Knicks at TD Garden on February 23, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts.
Before the game, Boston’s starting lineup against Toronto was released, and the team also made a post on social media of the five players that would start the matchup.
Derrick White, Sam Hauser, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Neemias Queta all got the starting lineup not from head coach Joe Mazzulla.
This is a group the Celtics have used a lot since Tatum came back from injury. Despite the latest Vucevic injury update, Queta remains the starter as center, as he has been one of the surprising stories of the year, giving Boston some much-needed consistency in that position, even though they lost a few main big man contributors over the offseason.
Celtics Injury Report, Nikola Vucevic Injury Update
GettyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 22: Nikola Vucevic #4 of the Boston Celtics makes a pass during the first half of their game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on February 22, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
The Celtics’ injury report, surprisingly, does not feature any of the team’s players. Vucevic was previously listed, but he was recently upgraded to available after being first questionable for the game.
The trade deadline acquisition from the Chicago Bulls had been sidelined for nearly a month after undergoing surgery on a finger injury. Despite that, there were reports of good progress on his recovery being made, and the day before the game, he was upgraded to questionable, the first time he wasn’t listed as ‘out’ since being sidelined in early March.
While his status was still in question just hours before the game, Boston listed the center as available for Sunday against the Raptors, marking Vucevic’s return from the injury.
“Joe Mazzulla confirms that Nikola Vucevic will play today. He adds that Vooch has been very committed to getting/staying up to speed during the time he’s been out,” the Celtics wrote in a statement.
In 12 games for the Celtics, Vucevic averaged 10.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists on 44.5% shooting in just 21.7 minutes.
The Celtics are 52-25 and second in the Eastern Conference standings, only behind the Detroit Pistons.
They have won eight of their last ten, and with just fives games left on their regular-season schedule, hope to get as many wins as possible before the playoffs begin. Having a healthy lineup, like they do now, will be key to that.
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