The Boston Celtics are rolling into Orlando on Wednesday night with a much different look—one that’s missing every member of their usual starting lineup.
In what will be their final road game of the regular season, the Celtics have ruled out Jaylen Brown just an hour before tip-off due to a lingering bone bruise, adding to a growing list of sidelined stars. Already scratched from the lineup were Jrue Holiday (shoulder), Al Horford (knee sprain), Kristaps Porzingis (illness reconditioning), Jayson Tatum (ankle sprain), and Derrick White (ankle sprain).
The decision comes on the heels of a gritty overtime win against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night. Brown logged just 22 minutes in that one as the team continues to tread carefully with his knee issue heading into the postseason.
“We got what we needed from him,” said head coach Joe Mazzulla. “He’s testing himself, pushing himself, and there’s still more basketball ahead.”
Brown himself acknowledged last week that managing the injury has been a tricky dance between staying game-ready and allowing for recovery.
“There’s no guarantee that rest makes it better,” he said Friday. “I’m just trying to figure it out and be ready for the playoffs.”
Despite the absences, Boston’s bench has something big to play for: a chance to tie the NBA record for most road wins in a regular season. A victory over the Magic would put them at an impressive 34-7 on the road—one more milestone in a season full of them.
Leave a Reply