The Boston Celtics take on the Milwaukee Bucks Thursday night as they’ll be without Jayson Tatum (right knee tendinopathy) and Al Horford (low back soreness) while Marcus Smart (right ankle sprain) is probable, the team announced.

Nik Stauskas (right ankle sprain) and Robert Williams (torn meniscus) also remain out.

Ime Udoka talked about resting players Wednesday night following the team’s win over the Bulls, and both Tatum and Horford were on the injury report last night — though they did play as they were listed as probable.

With a win, Milwaukee (49-30) will pass Boston (50-30) by a half-game, and the Celtics could fall to as low as the fourth seed with the Sixers also at 49-30. But with a back-to-back in the second to the final game of the season, it’s clear the team is choosing rest for the playoffs rather than chasing a top seed — which is still possible.

But, this move could come back to haunt them, as if the Celtics fall to the fourth seed, Jaylen Brown and Horford might not be able to play if the Raptors are the fifth seed. Neither have confirmed their vaccination status.

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