Ahead of the primetime matchup, the Celtics and Rockets revealed their official injury reports for Monday night's game. Boston star Derrick White will miss the game due to a shin injury. He was added to the injury report on Sunday and will now miss his third game of the regular season.

The Celtics will be down two rotation players, so expect C’s coach Joe Mazzulla to dip into his bench. The last time the Celtics were shorthanded like this, Jaden Springer emerged off the bench in an impressive game against the Clippers in Los Angeles. Jordan Walsh and Baylor Scheierman could also see some playing time in the rotation.

Udoka took over the Rockets job ahead of the 2023-24 season and has gone 0-3 against Boston over the past season and a half. He still keeps close tabs on his former team and spoke happily about them earlier this month winning the NBA championship last season without him.

The Celtics did not exit their four-game West Coast swing unscathed. Ahead of its first game back at TD Garden on Monday night, Boston ruled out starting guard Derrick White (left shin contusion) and rotation wing Sam Hauser (right hip impingement).