Nikola Vucevic Set for Return as Celtics Host Raptors in Key East Matchup

The Boston Celtics will return home on Sunday afternoon for a matchup against the Toronto Raptors, with added attention centered on the availability of newly acquired center Nikola Vucevic. The veteran big man is listed on the injury report as he works his way back from a right finger fracture.

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Vucevic is expected to make his return after missing approximately one month due to the injury suffered in early March during a game against the Dallas Mavericks. His absence has been a notable stretch for Boston following his midseason arrival.

Vucevic was acquired at the trade deadline in a deal that sent guard Anfernee Simons to his previous team, a move designed to address Boston’s long-standing need for frontcourt shooting and interior stability. His skill set was viewed as a key addition to balance the roster for a playoff push.

With the postseason approaching, Boston enters the game with momentum and a relatively clean injury report, highlighting the importance of integrating Vucevic back into the rotation as the standings tighten in the Eastern Conference.

1. Injury Return and Rotation Impact

Vucevic’s expected return marks an important step for a Celtics team still adjusting to his presence following the deadline acquisition. His ability to stretch the floor and provide interior scoring gives Boston added flexibility on both ends of the court. The finger fracture, suffered in a win over Dallas, sidelined him for roughly a month and temporarily halted his early progress with the team. During that time, Boston relied on internal depth to maintain stability in the frontcourt. His reintegration will be closely monitored, particularly in terms of shooting touch and passing rhythm, both of which are essential components of his offensive role. The Celtics will likely ease him back into full minutes as they prepare for postseason competition. For Boston, the timing of his return aligns with a critical stretch of the season, where consistency and lineup cohesion become increasingly important.

2. Celtics Momentum and Eastern Standings Push

The Celtics have been in strong form, entering Sunday’s matchup after consecutive dominant wins over the Miami Heat and the Milwaukee Bucks on the road. Those performances helped solidify their standing as one of the top teams in the conference. Star forward Jayson Tatum has continued to regain form following his injury return, steadily reestablishing himself as Boston’s primary offensive engine. His production has been a key factor in the team’s recent surge. Alongside him, Jaylen Brown has maintained high-level play throughout the season, offering consistent scoring and two-way impact that has kept Boston competitive against elite opponents. With the Celtics focused on locking in the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, every remaining game carries weight as they attempt to secure favorable positioning ahead of the playoffs.

3. Raptors Injury Concerns and Game Outlook

While Boston enters the matchup largely healthy, the Toronto Raptors will be without guard Immanuel Quickley, who remains sidelined due to plantar fasciitis in his right foot. His absence removes a key backcourt creator from Toronto’s rotation. Quickley’s injury continues to affect the Raptors’ offensive structure, forcing adjustments in ball-handling responsibilities and perimeter scoring. Toronto has leaned on depth options to compensate during his recovery. The matchup at TD Garden is scheduled for a 3:30 p.m. ET tip-off, with Boston looking to maintain momentum and further strengthen its playoff positioning in a tightly contested Eastern Conference race. As the regular season nears its conclusion, both teams are managing health and rotation stability, but the spotlight remains on how effectively Boston reintegrates Vucevic into a group already performing at a high level.