Ron Harper Jr. will not play Thursday's preseason game at the Cavaliers because of a shoulder and arm issue, according to the Celtics' injury report. He remains day-to-day, the same designation he carried earlier Thursday, with an expected return date of Oct. 10.
What happened
The Celtics listed Ron Harper Jr. as day-to-day on Thursday's 7:27 p.m. ET injury report with a shoulder and arm issue, the same day-to-day designation he carried earlier Thursday. Sean Grande of NBC Sports Boston reports that Harper, described as dealing with an undisclosed issue, will not play in Thursday's preseason game against the Cavaliers. The official report does not add further detail beyond the shoulder and arm designation. His expected return is listed as Oct. 10.
What it means for the Celtics
Boston faces the Cavaliers on the road Thursday at 7 p.m. ET in a preseason game, and Harper will not be available. Last season he averaged 10.9 minutes, 4.2 points, 1.7 rebounds and 0.8 assists over 29 games off the bench. With him out, the Celtics have leaned on Jaylen Brown (34.4 minutes, 28.7 points), Derrick White (34.1 minutes, 16.5 points), Jayson Tatum (32.6 minutes, 21.8 points) and Payton Pritchard (32.3 minutes, 17.0 points), with Neemias Queta, Sam Hauser, Anfernee Simons and Nikola Vucevic also absorbing minutes. The 2026-27 season has not started, so there is no regular-season record with or without him yet.
What to watch
Harper's next update will come on the Celtics' following injury report. His expected return is listed as Oct. 10, though the team has not announced which game that corresponds to. Boston is also carrying day-to-day designations for Paul George, Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, Sam Hauser, Payton Pritchard, Mitchell Robinson and Neemias Queta on the same report as the preseason schedule continues.
Is Ron Harper Jr. playing vs Cavaliers?
No. Harper will not play in Thursday's preseason game against the Cavaliers because of a shoulder and arm issue, according to the injury report.
When will Ron Harper Jr. be back?
His expected return is listed as Oct. 10 on the injury report. The Celtics have not announced which game that corresponds to.