Jaylen Brown expected to miss time with groin injury, says Joe Mazzulla

The Boston Celtics held off the Brooklyn Nets for a 109-98 road win on Thursday night, but it came without Jaylen Brown, who was out with a groin injury.

Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla was quick to update the masses on Brown’s injury status before the game Thursday night. Mazzulla didn’t give a clear timetable for Brown’s return, but seems to believe it’s not a serious injury.

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• Joe Mazzulla provides an update on Jaylen Brown ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/6V8YaSe46X

  — Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) January 12, 2023

• “It’s sore,” Mazzulla said, referring to Brown’s adductor muscle tightness. “I’m not sure what the timeline is. I just know he tried to give it a go [Thursday] and wasn’t able to do it. So, we’ll know more, probably in the next couple of days, how he responds.”

  Asked specifically about the severity of the injury and the timetable for a return, Mazzulla added: “I anticipate it being pretty short, about a week or so, something in that area.”

  

  BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 11: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics dribbles against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at TD Garden on January 11, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

• The lack of specificity on Brown’s injury leaves open the possibility that his return to the court takes longer than a week. But it’s at least a promising sign that we’re not talking about a tear, or something that would require surgery or a long-term recovery process.

  Meanwhile, the Celtics have three games over the next week. Unfortunately, it appears Brown will have to miss next Thursday’s home game against the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors.

• Injury updates haven’t always been the clearest or most accurate with the Celtics, so it feels like Brown’s status for beyond the next seven days is up in the air. For now, it’s a fluid situation. We’ll try our best to keep you updated with all the reporting on it here at 985TheSportsHub.com.

  Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @realmattdolloff. Check out all of Matt’s content here.