BOSTON — The Celtics are now just weeks away from opening the playoffs as the plan is to hopefully make another deep run. For that to happen, they need to be in top condition as the reigning champions will be tested.
So in that sense, the C’s and fans will continue to monitor Jaylen Brown’s knee injury. He’s been dealing with a bone bruise in his right knee, and while he’s played through it, he admitted he was in pain in Wednesday’s loss to the Heat. Brown revealed last week that he was on a minutes restriction; he shed more light on the injury after the Heat loss.
“I’ve seen some specialists and stuff like that, but we’ve got a great medical staff and we’ve got good people around,” Brown said. “So come playoffs, my goal is to be feeling my best. So we’re just working through that, and it’s a thing that we kind of manage and you push through. But we’ve got a good plan in place. So come playoffs, my goal is to be feeling my best.”
Fortunately, Brown was effective Wednesday despite the loss. He finished with 24 points, nine rebounds and four assists, shooting 10-for-20 from the floor and 2-of-6 on his 3-pointers. C’s coach Joe Mazzulla noted that same observation, adding that “he just continues to look better and better each night.”
Brown said the 65-game threshold isn’t part of the equation when it comes to him playing. The All-Star is currently at 60 games played this year, meaning he needs to play in five of the next six games to be considered for awards. That includes All-NBA and other regular-season awards.
Brown is obviously a key part of the Celtics’ operation as he won both East Finals MVP and NBA Finals MVP last season. He’s endured and played through injuries all season, limiting his effectiveness. But with the playoffs so close, it’s all about peaking and getting healthy at the right time.
“It’s a good step forward,” Brown said. “I’ve had to come to grips that every night I’m not going to feel my normal self. But that doesn’t mean I still can’t make plays and things like that. So it’s just something that we are working through. Today was a good step forward. I got some stuff lined up with the medical staff in order to be and feel better come playoffs. But as for now, just mentally working through not feeling great, but still able to find ways to be effective.”