Celtics to be without Irving, Smart, Brown, possibly Horford vs. Wizards

The Boston Celtics are going to be extremely shorthanded when they host the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night.

Kyrie Irving, who's been nursing a sore knee, has been ruled out for the Celtics, as have Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown, who are dealing with a thumb injury and a concussion, respectively. Al Horford is listed as questionable due to an illness.

Meanwhile, Daniel Theis is out for the season with a torn meniscus, and Gordon Hayward continues to be sidelined as he recovers from an opening-night leg injury.

The Celtics are optimistic that Irving's injury won't keep him out for long, but there's no timetable for Brown's return, and Smart may have a torn tendon in his thumb - though team president Danny Ainge said the point guard is seeking a second opinion.

Perhaps the Celtics should take a page out of the New Orleans Pelicans' book and find themselves a voodoo doctor.