Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum Among 9 Celtics Out vs. Heat Due to Protocols, Injury

The Boston Celtics announced nine players will be inactive for Sunday's game against the Miami Heat due to injury or health and safety protocols.

Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Javonte Green, Semi Ojeleye, Tristan Thompson, Grant Williams and Robert Williams are all out due to the league's COVID-19 protocols. Kemba Walker is dealing with a knee injury while Romeo Langford is out with a wrist injury.

It leaves just eight active players for the battle between Eastern Conference foes, as Tim Bontemps of ESPN noted.

Bontemps added it is unlikely any of the seven players out due to the league's protocols will return before Friday, keeping the team shorthanded for three additional games.

According to Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic, Tatum is expected to enter quarantine and will be out 10-14 days.

Tatum entered the day ranked seventh in the NBA with an average of 26.9 points per game while Brown ranked 10th averaging 26.3 per game.

Boston was off to a strong start to the 2019-20 season with its 7-3 record tied for the best in the Eastern Conference. However, the latest roster issues could lead to a setback.

The Celtics are down to just two regular starters for Sunday's game against the Heat—Marcus Smart and Daniel Thies—while Smart will be the only active player averaging double figures on the season.

Thies (6'8") and Tacko Fall (7'2") are the only players taller than 6'5" on the active roster.

It could lead to challenges defending Bam Adebayo inside or keeping up with the Heat's deep rotation.