Jaylen Brown is injured, but it doesn’t appear to be a big deal.
The Celtics guard alluded to a groin injury suffered during Wednesday night’s win over the New Orleans Pelicans, in which he dropped a season-high 41 points. As of Thursday afternoon, he’s officially listed as questionable for the Celtics’ next game, Thursday against the Brooklyn Nets. He’s listed with left adductor tightness. Adductors are, in fact, in the groin area.
“I tweaked my groin a little bit, so I was done,” Brown told NBC Sports Boston’s Abby Chinn after the game. “I’ll get it looked at after the game and get ready for the next one.”
Jan 11, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) controls the ball while New Orleans Pelicans guard Dyson Daniels (11) defends during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
The injury comes as Brown has upped his aggressiveness toward the hoop in recent games. His two-point attempts overall are up just slightly over his past seven games, with 94, compared to 91 in the previous seven. His three-point attempts, however, are way down, with 49 in his last seven games, compared to 69 in the previous seven.
Brooklyn (27-13) is in the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference and only two games behind Boston for the top spot, entering Thursday. So while it may be a good long-term move to give Brown the night off as he deals with a tweaked groin, it wouldn’t be surprising if Brown played hurt against one of the Celtics’ chief rivals in the conference.
The Nets will be without Kevin Durant, who is dealing with a sprained MCL, so the C’s may not necessarily need Brown to pull off a win.
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)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 11: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics dives after a loose ball in front of Dyson Daniels #11 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at TD Garden on January 11, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
