The Boston Celtics have faced ongoing challenges with player health, struggling to keep their starting lineup fully fit at the same time. While injuries have been a major concern this season, they were relatively fortunate last year, particularly during their playoff run. Their opponents suffered from significant injuries, making the Celtics’ path to the NBA Finals somewhat easier.
For instance, during their matchup against the Indiana Pacers, the Celtics faced a team that was mostly healthy, but even then, Indiana’s star player, Tyrese Haliburton, sustained an injury during the series. Boston didn’t even need Kristaps Porzingis until the Finals due to the health struggles of other teams, a luxury they likely won’t have this time around. Throughout the current season, injuries have been a recurring issue, creating concerns ahead of the playoffs.
One of the more consistent players in terms of availability has been Jaylen Brown. Unlike some of his teammates, he has missed very few games this season. However, that does not mean he has been in perfect condition. Brown has been managing a nagging knee injury, something he has found difficult to cope with both physically and mentally.
“This is a new experience for me,” Brown admitted. “I’ve never really had knee issues in my career before. I’m trying to find the right routine to ensure I’m prepared for every game, but it’s definitely been challenging, especially mentally.”
Despite dealing with discomfort, Brown has remained committed to playing as many games as possible. He has shown a strong reluctance to sit out, even when not at full strength.
As the regular season winds down, Boston’s chances of overtaking the Cleveland Cavaliers for the number one seed in the Eastern Conference are slim. They currently trail Cleveland by five games, with only nine games left to play.
With that in mind, the Celtics’ primary focus now is to ensure their players are as healthy as possible before the playoffs begin. This could mean giving Brown and other key players some rest in the coming games to prevent further injuries.
So far this season, Brown has averaged 22.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game. He is shooting 45.9% from the field and 32% from beyond the arc, continuing to be a crucial part of the Celtics’ roster despite his ongoing knee concerns.