Analysis: Kyrie Irving (sprained knee) ruled out for Tuesday's game against Sixers

BOSTON -- The Celtics will get their first look at the revamped Sixers on Tuesday night in Philadelphia, but they won't have their All-Star point guard with them to try to take down Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and company. Brad Stevens announced at Monday's practice that Kyrie Irving had been ruled out for Tuesday's game and would not travel with the team to Pennsylvania on Monday afternoon. Irving suffered a sprained right knee in Saturday's loss and was called day-to-day by the team.

Stevens did not rule Irving out for Wednesday's home against the Pistons, the final game ahead of the break. Irving was in attendance for Monday's practice in Allston but did not participate in a 3-point shooting contest afterward.

Without Irving, look for Terry Rozier to get the start in Philadelphia against a starting lineup that has been an offensive juggernaut through their first two games together, both wins over the Lakers and Nuggets.

"As you know," Stevens continued, "When you’ve got a team that is right there anyway, when you get just one or two special guys and then also fill in with really athletic, skilled bench guys that are very versatile, there’s probably a little bounce in their step. There’s a buzz to that. We even talked about it before the Clippers, when new guys come in, it kinda gives you a fresh like giddyup and obviously, Philly is playing great. They were already good, by the way, like really good, really well coached, great system, great energy, now they’re pretty close to ridiculous. That’s a heck of a team."

Rozier will likely spend much of his time chasing around JJ Redick on the perimeter in the matchup, which will allow Marcus Smart to match up against Jimmy Butler. The rest of the Celtics frontcourt all match up fairly well with Harris, Simmons and Embiid, but everyone is going to have their work cut out for them with that group from a defensive standpoint.

"I think one of Philly’s things the last few years has been they can pick on matchups because there’s always a physical advantage somewhere," Stevens explained. "So you better be really tied together because you’re not always going to be able to play 1-on-1, you’re going to have double some, you’re going to have double some, you’re going to have to fly around, you’re going to find a matchup you weren’t initially on and now you know I saw where Brett said he always was interested in seeing who guards Tobias because a lot of teams were putting their point guard on Chandler. Chandler’s a heck of a player, who could post you, but Tobias obviously takes advantage of that as well. When they go to the bench, they are way more versatile, especially on the defensive end of the floor, than they have been in the past. I think they have a chance to be a special group."

The Celtics are currently one game behind the Sixers for the No. 4 seed in the East but hold a 2-0 edge in the season series. A win on Tuesday night would clinch the regular season tiebreaker for Boston.