The Celtics are entering the season as title defenders but are dealing with the absence of Kristaps Porzingis. However, they are not the only Eastern Conference team facing injury challenges. The Bucks will be without Khris Middleton for their season opener due to ankle surgery, and it is unclear when he will be back at full strength. The Knicks are also dealing with injuries, with Precious Achiuwa expected to be sidelined for two to four weeks with a hamstring strain.
Despite these injury setbacks, the Celtics remain the favorites in the East. The Sixers and Knicks have made significant roster upgrades but will need to navigate their own availability issues throughout the season to challenge the Celtics. The Bucks, who are looking to bounce back from consecutive first-round playoff exits, are also dealing with injury concerns.
As the season gets underway, teams will be looking to avoid the Celtics until the East Finals and there are sure to be surprises along the way. The Celtics showed their depth during their 2024 title run, without a key player like Porzingis, and will need to adjust early on this season. The East race kicks off on Tuesday with the Celtics hosting the Knicks for ring night, setting the stage for a competitive and injury-riddled season in the Eastern Conference.
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