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Celtics will be without 8 players in preseason opener

The Boston Celtics will enter their preseason opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers with a significantly limited roster, as head coach Joe Mazzulla plans to rest key players ahead of the new campaign. Star guards Jayson Tatum and Derrick White, along with forwards Paul George and Mitchell Robinson, will sit out the game, joining reserves Neemias Queta, Sam Hauser, Ron Harper Jr., and Payton Pritchard on the bench.

The starting lineup will feature Mike Conley, Baylor Scheierman, Hugo Gonzalez, Jordan Walsh, and Luka Garza, with Chris Cenac Jr., Dillon Mitchell, and Amari Williams available as substitutes. Rookie prospects Devin Carter, Gabe McGlothan, Milos Uzan, and Tucker DeVries will also see action, marking their first appearances in a Celtics uniform for some of them, including Conley, Cenac, and Mitchell.

The game will also serve as a coaching debut for assistants Tony Dobbins and DJ MacLeay, who will split duties for the first and second halves, respectively, as Mazzulla gives them opportunities to develop their leadership ahead of future head-coaching roles.

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