Longtime Celtic gets first start of the season in Jayson Tatum’s absence

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 26: Jayson Tatum #0 high fives Sam Hauser #30 of the Boston Celtics during the second half of game four of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers at Xfinity Mobile Arena on April 26, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Celtics will start Derrick White, Paul George, Hugo Gonzalez, Sam Hauser, and Neemias Queta when they face the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night.

That’s in the absence of Jayson Tatum, who will miss his first game of the season due to rest. Payton Pritchard, listed as questionable with a right shoulder contusion, is available.

Tatum has played in all 7 of the Celtics’ games so far, including both back-to-backs. But, against a struggling Milwaukee team, he’ll get the night off. Tatum is averaging 27 points, 7.9 assists, and 6 rebounds per game so far this season.

It will be Hauser’s first start of the year, though he’s averaged the 6th-most minutes per game on the team so far. Hauser, who started 49 games for the Celtics last year, is averaging 7.1 points and 3 rebounds per game, while shooting 41.2% from three.

Hugo Gonzalez will start his third straight game for the Celtics; Jordan Walsh started the first five games of the season. So far in his second year, Gonzalez is averaging 3.7 points and 2.3 rebounds in 12.6 minutes per game. Walsh is averaging 4.4 points and 3.7 rebounds in 16 minutes per game.

Of note, when Paul George sat on Sunday, it was Baylor Scheierman who got the starting nod. Scheierman tallied 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists, shooting 4-9 from the field. Against the Bucks, it’s Hauser who gets the starting opportunity.

The Bucks will start Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kyle Kuzma, Brayden Burries, and Myles Turner.

The Celtics are 5-2 entering the game; the Bucks are 1-7.

Celtics-Bucks tips off at 7:30pm ET.