Celtics forward Jaylen Brown is “doubtful” for Game 1 of the team’s series against the Philadelphia 76ers, according to head coach Brad Stevens. Stevens told…
Celtics forward Jaylen Brown is “doubtful” for Game 1 of the team’s series against the Philadelphia 76ers, according to head coach Brad Stevens.
Stevens told reporters Sunday there is still lingering soreness in Brown’s right hamstring, but the results from initial testing “looked good.” Even if Brown does not play Monday, Stevens expressed optimism he will return later in the series.
Brown was at the Celtics practice facility Sunday for the team’s film session, but did not speak to the media. Per Stevens, he did not try to do “anything running-wise.”
Brown exited the second quarter of Saturday night’s game with what was initially ruled a sore hamstring. He limped to the locker room, where he spent the remaining four minutes of the half. Though Brown was ruled available to return — and Stevens said he was permitted to use the forward “in a pinch” — the 21-year-old did not check back into the game.
“We took care of business, so I was fine I got to rest,” Brown told reporters in the locker room following the Celtics’ 112-96 victory.
With the win, Boston will face Philadelphia in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Brown said Saturday he is scheduled to have an MRI Sunday and, in the meantime, will be massaging, resting, and icing his injury. He seemed determined to do “whatever it takes” to ensure he can play as soon as possible.
“I probably haven’t taken a pill in over 10 years, but they’ve got me taking anti-inflammatories and stuff like that,” he told reporters. “So just whatever it takes because I wouldn’t miss this next series for the world.’’
