Jaylen Brown was downgraded on the Celtics injury report ahead of their 7:30 p.m. Friday game against the Kings. Brown is listed as doubtful with left hamstring tightness and a right knee contusion. Neemias Queta is also listed with an illness, but he’s probable. Jayson Tatum remains out with his Achilles rehab.
Brown has missed just three games for the Celtics this season. The hamstring tightness has bogged him down, though he’s played through the issue. It’s a likely rest night for Brown with the All-Star break less than two weeks away.
The Queta probable designation is a positive. He’s been dealing with an illness of late, which forced him to miss the Hawks loss on Wednesday. Two-way big man Amari Williams got his second career start facing the Hawks, but he struggled in his minutes. Luka Garza ended up getting more playing time, plus the Celtics went small for stretches.
A healthy Queta and Garza would be crucial for the Celtics. Williams had a solid game against the Trail Blazers, but he’s also shown that he’s still a rookie. That’s natural for a guy on a two-way contract, who’s played a larger role in the past few games.
The Celtics are looking to bounce back after their loss to Atlanta, where nothing was going right for the home team. Brown blamed himself and said he wasn’t at his best. Fortunately for them, the struggling Kings are in town. Sacramento is just 12-37 as part of a lost season.