With both Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown out with injuries, the Boston Celtics were still able to secure their third-straight win on Tuesday, defeating D'Angelo Russell and the Brooklyn Nets.
After two days off, the Celtics are back in action on Friday night, kicking off a six-game road trip with a battle against an injury-riddled Utah Jazz team.
Coming into the day, Brown had been listed as questionable against the Jazz with a knee issue. Tatum, on the other hand, had been taken off the injury report entirely, meaning he will likely be playing.
However, just hours before the game began, it was revealed that Brown may have to miss more time than expected.
Brown has been ruled out for Friday's game with a bone bruise in his right knee. The injury is expected to keep him out the next two games, including against the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday, according to Celtics insider Taylor Snow. Brown will be reevaluated on Monday.
"Jaylen Brown has been diagnosed with a bone bruise with posterior impingement in his right knee. He'll miss the next two games and will be reevaluated on Monday."
Jaylen Brown has been diagnosed with a bone bruise with posterior impingement in his right knee. He'll miss the next two games and will be reevaluated on Monday.
— Taylor Snow (@taylorcsnow) March 22, 2025
Brown had struggled heavily in his last two games, which came against the Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder. In those contests, Brown combined for 18 points on 8-of-23 shooting, 11 rebounds and five assists. Still, the 2024 NBA Finals MVP has proven to be a key piece for Boston and one of the better two-way players in the league.
Although the Celtics sit with a 50-19 record entering Friday's game, there have been very few times this season when Boston has been able to put its full lineup on the court. But with the No. 2 seed ultimately secured, barring a major collapse, the Celtics won't have to rush Brown back.
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This story was originally published March 21, 2025 at 5:37 PM.