The Boston Celtics could be in trouble based on what Jaylen Brown had to say about his health after 103-124 loss to the Miami Heat.
The Boston Celtics saw their nine-game winning streak come to an anti-climactic end against the Miami Heat in a 103-124 loss. The Heat, who were without Andrew Wiggins, outplayed Boston on both ends of the court in an outcome few expected.
The Celtics are making a late-season surge for the No. 1 seed in the East, but this loss likely puts an end to that campaign. They’re five games behind the Cleveland Cavaliers with just six games remaining.
While there are very few problems with the Celtics, people keep pointing out a few. Former champion Paul Pierce believes they aren’t maximizing stars like Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, while others believe the team’s very expensive roster will cause them to implode if they fail.
Despite the outside noises, the Celtics are pushing on. But the team might face some problems on-court with slight injury concerns creeping in. Although Kristaps Pozingis has been dubbed their key to the Playoffs, he has his own injury issues, and now, a bigger concern might be brewing with Jaylen Brown.
This can scupper their entire season.
After the loss to the Heat, Brown spoke to the media about his health. He made an honest admission that his knee won’t be 100% again this season. Nonetheless, it won’t stop him from finding ways to feel better and be the most impactful he can be on the court.
“It’s a good step forward. I’ve had to come to grips that every night. I’m not gonna feel like 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’ve got some stuff lined up with the medical staff in order to feel better come playoffs. But for now. You know, as for now, just mentally working through not feeling great. But still able to find ways to be effective.”
A healthy Brown led the Celtics to the NBA Championships last season. He won the Eastern Conference and NBA Finals MVP while being dubbed by some as the reason the Mavericks traded Luka Doncic in the winter. At his best, Brown is one of the top players in the league.
He’s averaging 22.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 4.6 assists this season. If he isn’t at his best, the Celtics might not be able to defend their crown.
The Celtics saw Jayson Tatum go down with an ankle injury in the team’s win over the Sacramento Kings. He missed just one game before returning to the court but hasn’t looked 100%. This was evident in his struggles against the Heat, putting up just 16 points on 4-17 from the field.
If both Tatum and Brown are hampered, the Celtics might be exposed in the Playoffs. Porzingis has his own injury issues, while Derrick White and Jrue Holiday aren’t built to be the offensive engine of the team. The team revolves around Tatum and Brown’s multi-faceted skillset on the wings.
It might be wise for head coach Joe Mazzulla to consider resting his two biggest stars before the Playoffs. The Celtics are all but locked into the No. 2 seed in the East currently. It could be time to start preparing for that eventuality.
Every team in the East Play-In is below .500 right now. The Celtics will feel confident in getting through them with a limited Brown and Tatum. But it might be best to rest them now and save their health. This will ensure they’re in the best rhythm by the time a far tricker second round starts.
