BOSTON — There have been numerous moments when Jaylen Brown has been in seen discomfort over these previous few weeks, moments the place the four-time All-Star has winced and clutched his proper knee, taken just a little too lengthy to rise up from a fall, or gingerly braced his landings.
The knee harm that’s held Brown out of 10 video games this season — and eight video games because the All-Star break — has been obvious and exhausting for followers at dwelling to disregard.
However what’s flown underneath the radar is his effectiveness by that ache. In his final 5 video games, Brown has shot 54.4% from the sphere, 42.3% from three, and 85% from the road. He’s averaging two turnovers per recreation, a quantity that’s beneath his season common. And, all through that stretch, the Celtics have outscored the competitors by 45 factors with him on the ground.
On Friday, Brown turned in his finest efficiency in weeks, tallying 31 factors on 10-16 taking pictures, 5 rebounds, and three assists, together with 1 dazzling cross to Kornet.
Then, after serving to lead the Celtics to victory, Brown sat on the podium for almost 11 minutes, reflecting on the problem of taking part in by the ache — however in a means, additionally the great thing about it.
Over the previous few weeks, Brown has been reminded that he’s extra than simply an explosive dunker and speedy transition participant.
“I discovered that I’ve numerous ability,” he mentioned. ‘My ability degree is excessive. As you’ve seen tonight, no dunks, no transition factors. I can nonetheless have an effect on the rating once more in a number of methods. And I haven’t at all times displayed that — and this yr I haven’t displayed it as a lot as a result of I’m athletic… I can hit photographs, I can shoot the ball, I can get to my spots, I can rating alternative ways. I believe that might be a very good factor — reminding myself that not solely are you athletic, however you bought a excessive ability degree as nicely, so make the most of that.”
Partially resulting from a renewed emphasis on expertise, Brown is definitely taking pictures the next true taking pictures % from the sphere because the All-Star break (57.2%) than he was taking pictures beforehand (55%).
Jaylen Brown addresses the favored notion that he ought to relaxation
On-line and within the media, many have questioned whether or not Brown ought to relaxation moderately than play by harm — and whether or not he’s taking part in by ache merely to be eligible for All-NBA.
Brown flatly said earlier this week that the 65-game minimal to have the ability to qualify for awards was not a consider contemplating whether or not he’d relaxation or play down the stretch.
And, on Friday, he mentioned the truth that it’s uncommon to see NBA athletes push by seen ache.
I requested Jaylen Brown about taking part in by ache, the very fact it’s unusual to look at NBA athletes in seen ache, and if there’s pleasure in that he’s been in a position to take action successfully:
“Two components. Nice query. One, you usually see folks go complain about when persons are selecting… pic.twitter.com/70UN5pGpJh
— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) April 5, 2025
“You usually see folks go complain about when persons are selecting to not play,” Brown mentioned with a smile. “I’ve by no means been skilled it the opposite means round — the place I’m taking part in and persons are encouraging me to not.”
The official prognosis the Celtics public relations workforce shared relating to Brown’s knee is a ‘bone bruise with posterior impingement in his proper knee, however little data has been disclosed about precisely what Brown’s been going by and what the prognosis and remedy plans are.
The general public want for Brown to take a seat seemingly hinges upon the concept relaxation would make issues higher — and a fast Google search would verify that relaxation appears to usually be a optimistic factor for such an harm.
However, Brown addressed the remainder conundrum because it pertains to his specific harm: “There’s no assure, actually, that relaxation goes to make something higher. I want it could, but it surely’s the playing cards which are laid out.”
“It’s what it’s. It sucks,” he added. “I want I may share extra particulars, however no matter my workforce wants, no matter I can do, no matter I obtained, Imma give. I’m wanting ahead to simply taking it at some point at a time, and I’m hopeful that some issues will enhance over the course of those subsequent two weeks or so.”
So, moderately than merely shut down for the season, Brown has opted to discover what his recreation may appear to be with bodily limitations.
Jaylen Brown is finding out Paul Pierce and leaning on his teammates and coach
Brown shared Friday he’d been finding out Paul Pierce movie in an effort to emphasise attending to his spots and taking part in at a managed tempo. Mockingly, Pierce was on the recreation together with his 17-year-old daughter Prianna, and obtained to meet up with Brown pregame.
“[I’m] utilizing extra of my ability, taking part in just a little bit slower, which may typically be a very good factor,” Brown mentioned. “So it’s all about simply figuring that out. And I’ve been utilizing these video games to sort of determine it out. And, simply taking it at some point at a time.”
“Right now, I felt like I didn’t have my regular burst, however I used to be nonetheless capable of be efficient. So I believe that’s good. However as we proceed to maneuver ahead, hoping to really feel higher and higher.”
Joe Mazzulla is making a concerted effort to assist Brown play by the harm.
“I’ve a duty to make the sport simpler for him, no matter what the state of affairs is. It’s at all times to make it simpler,” Mazzulla mentioned. “To me, it’s extra about belief. There’s nobody that understands his physique, there’s nobody that prepares mentally, bodily, the way in which that he does. And he’s consistently taking in data on the atmosphere and what he must do. I believe he’s doing a terrific job. He’s doing a very good job of dealing with it, he’s doing a very good job of managing it, whether or not it’s within the weight room or the coaching room.
“And, relating to the tactical stuff, it’s fixed communication of how we will get him in the perfect place potential to achieve success. You need to be doing that regardless, however much more now. I believe he’s actually doing a very good job determining methods to be efficient for our workforce.”
Brown expressed his gratitude that Mazzulla has given him grace by this course of and has let him work by the harm on the court docket, even when it hasn’t been good.
“I took some ill-advised photographs final recreation, and that was simply part of me making an attempt to determine the place I can go,” he mentioned. “And, I nonetheless need Joe to carry me to that very same normal, however I admire Joe for the communication. It’s good to have that now, moderately than making an attempt to determine it out as soon as all the things is on the road.”
It’s not simply Mazzulla who has Brown’s harm in thoughts on the ground; Jayson Tatum equally spoke to wanting to maximise Brown’s utilization when he’s on the court docket, specifically resulting from his minutes restriction.
“Wanting to maximise his time when he’s on the market, and being concerned as a lot as potential, understanding that he’s preventing by it to be on the market with us,” Tatum mentioned.
Brown is optimistic that the medical employees will put him in a very good place heading into the postseason.
“I financial institution on being by the playoffs — we obtained some stuff lined up — I financial institution on being even higher than I really feel now,” he mentioned.
However, even when he’s not, the 2024 Finals MVP has a renewed sense of confidence relating to the kind of impression he can have on the Celtics, even together with his limitations.
“Ache is unquestionably a bodily factor, but it surely is also a psychological factor,” Brown mentioned, including: “My workforce visibly can see possibly I’m in a little bit of ache — they belief me to go on the market, and I can management my physique, and nonetheless be capable of make performs, and mentally, be capable of sort of push by it. I believe that’s going to be one thing I’m gonna must have in my again pocket. I’ve been simply using these video games with a purpose to really feel issues out. Issues will get higher, I’m positive, but when they don’t, then I nonetheless have a very good really feel of the place my baseline is at.”
