Gordon Hayward, Jaylen Brown out vs. Hawks, Kemba Walker, Marcus Smart to play

With the Celtics plethora of injuries, can anyone keep track of who is available to play anymore?

The Celtics will be shorthanded once again when they host the Atlanta Hawks Friday night as Jaylen Brown and Gordon Hayward have both been ruled out for the contest. Brown won’t play after tweaking his ankle late in Wednesday’s win over the Orlando Magic, while Hayward has various minor ailments that will keep him from suiting up.

“A number of nagging things,” said Celtics coach Brad Stevens at this morning’s shootaround on the reason for Hayward being sidelined.

The Celtics will get some reinforcements back as Kemba Walker and Marcus Smart will both return to the lineup. Walker, who missed three straight games due to left knee soreness, said he is feeling better, but will play on a minutes restriction.

Smart, who has been inactive the last two games, has improved in his recovery from a right quad contusion and is ready to go as well.

The Celtics will still be without Daniel Theis, who sustained a sprained ankle in Monday’s win at Atlanta, but is feeling better and might not be out too much longer according to Stevens, while Robert Williams is making strides in his rehabilitation from a left hip bone edema.

“Robert Williams is progressing,” said Danny Ainge to 98.5 The Sport’s Hub Toucher & Rich. “He was out working on the court yesterday. He’s starting his transition back to all the live actions. We anticipate him being back with us somewhere in neighborhood of March 1.”