Jaylen Brown is expected to miss time with what the Boston Celtics are calling a facial fracture. But he will soon play through his recovery, based on a recent social media post.

“Mask incoming,” Brown said in a new Instagram story on Thursday. That almost certainly is referring to a protective mask, which many NBA players have strapped on in order to play while their facial fractures continue to heal. We’ll see how long Brown is out, but based on the IG story, it won’t be for long until we see Masked Jaylen.

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  Jaylen Brown/Instagram

• This does mean that Brown will look like some kind of crime fighter while shooting basketballs with a mask on. The protective masks especially make players look like Batman or Zorro. Speaking of Batman, it looks like Grant Williams will finally have to step aside and give way to the real Celtics caped crusader.

  In case you forgot, Williams told reporters at one point last season that he’d like to be called “Batman,” and even showed up on the night before Halloween in a full Batman costume as he fielded questions, like an absolute lunatic.

  Jayson Tatum, appropriately, needled his teammate when he saw his costume: “Yo, what the f*** are you doing?”

• All due respect to Williams, he’s not really worthy of a nickname befitting of a superhero. Even Cam Newton calling himself “Superman” seemed like a bit much. So he should retire the nickname and let Brown have it once he takes the court.

  Or, depending on the look of the mask, Brown might be the “Undertaker” instead.

• Jaylen Brown spotted practicing at Auerbach Center pic.twitter.com/Q3DKoTiHWv

  — Matt Dolloff (@mattdolloff) February 9, 2023

• Brown has already been ruled out for Friday’s game against the Charlotte Hornets, though. After that, they next play the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday at 2 p.m. ET at TD Garden.

  Click here for complete Boston Celtics coverage 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.

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