Get ready for a thrilling NBA clash as the Boston Celtics host the San Antonio Spurs tonight at 8 pm ET. Despite key absences for Boston, both teams boast impressive records. The Spurs, led by the unstoppable Victor Wembanyama,

BOSTON — Sam Hauser was downgraded on the Celtics injury report with right hamstring tightness for the 8 p.m. Saturday game against the Spurs. He was a late scratch roughly a couple hours before the game. Josh Minott will miss his third straight game with a left ankle sprain. Jayson Tatum remains out with his Achilles rehab.

The Celtics traded blows with one of the NBA’s top teams on Saturday. But in the end, they could not contain the unique talents of Victor Wembanyama.

The Celtics recognized former backup center Luke Kornet with a tribute video after the first quarter during Saturday night's game against the Spurs.

Here are four takeaways from the Celtics’ loss on Saturday night:

Coming into tonight’s critical showdown, just one game separated the Celtics and Raptors in the Eastern Conference standings. That set the stage for a proper shootout in Boston tonight, where the Celtics came out on top (125-117) to move to 3-0 on the season series.

Boston ruled Minott out for its matchup against the Toronto Raptors at TD Garden with a left ankle sprain. Asked about Minott’s prognosis during his pregame news conference, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla said he had “no idea” how the 23-year-old suffered his injury.

The Celtics are still riding high in the Eastern Conference, winning eight of their last ten games even after falling to the Nuggets on Wednesday night. There have been some interesting playing time decisions for that stretch with Boston’s bench, so let’s examine that situation along with some trade questions and more in this week’s mailbag.