Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown prepares to playoff opener against the Orlando Magic on Sunday.
However, he was reluctant to comment on the injections he received to help control bone bruises in his right knee. He is a formal participant in Saturday’s practice.
“I’m not talking about my knees here, guys,” Brown said after Saturday’s practice. “That's it. I'm focused on Orlando.”
The final MVP of last year's Championship game put his knee burdens to finish the season, playing 30 minutes or less in his last eight games. He also missed the last four games of the regular season.
Head coach Joe Moe Mazzulla sounds more optimistic about the injury, perhaps to present a brave front.
“He looks good,” Mazula said. “He is able to do everything without limitations. He is physically, mentally, really ready himself, ready to go. [I] Love the week he spent. ”
Brown averaged 22.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.2 steals in the regular season. He missed the season-end award qualification, and he competed in 63 games, two games with the minimum requirement.
Can the Celtic defend the title with Brown’s sick knee?
Brown performed well in the Boston title a year ago, but his knee now raises a real question mark.
The Celtics should still have enough firepower to put out the magic. They are a strong defensive team with a lot of physical bodies, so it would be fun to see how Brown’s knees react.
People like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero will all get the chance to defend him, and everyone has their own challenges.
More importantly, can his knees be raised as the round progresses? If the team scores far, Brown certainly needs to perform best in the Eastern Conference and NBA finals.
The next week or two will introduce us to how the brown looks and feels.
