BOSTON — Jaylen Brown had an up-and-down postseason. There have been the highs: a 36-point explosion with Jayson Tatum sidelined in Recreation 2 in opposition to the Orlando Magic, a 26-point, 12-assist outing to maintain the Celtics alive in Recreation 5 in opposition to the New York Knicks.
And, there have been the lows: 7 turnovers within the Celtics’ last recreation, a blowout loss at Madison Sq. Backyard, and 35% capturing throughout the Celtics’ first two losses, by which the Celtics misplaced consecutive 20-point second-half leads.
By way of all of it, it was evident that Brown was enjoying by knee ache — ache that the Celtics initially termed a proper knee impingement however was later reported to be a partial meniscus tear by ESPN’s Ramona Shelbourne. Per the report, Brown is being evaluated this week to find out whether or not surgical procedure is required.
On Monday, Stevens addressed the media for the primary time because the Celtics’ elimination and provided some optimistic perception into Brown’s state of affairs.
“The knee is in a very good place, structurally,” Stevens mentioned. “So I feel he felt snug getting on the market and going after it, and, hopefully, he’ll really feel higher after being off of it for a few weeks right here.”
And, whereas the Celtics’ common supervisor didn’t explicitly say that surgical procedure was off the desk, he did share that the partially torn meniscus was not new data.
“That’s been one thing that he’s had for some time, and it’s been secure, and he’s performed with it,” Brown mentioned. “That’s been a number of scans by and thru. We’ve recognized that for a very long time, and he’s recognized that for a very long time.”
Brown didn’t miss any postseason video games, although he was on the damage report for the Celtics’ last three video games in opposition to the Magic. He additionally missed 11 video games with the damage within the second half of the season.
And, earlier than the collection in opposition to the Knicks, Brown mentioned he felt he was turning the nook towards 100%. Stevens implied that these feedback weren’t simply gamesmanship.
“You guys all watched it within the final couple of weeks,” Stevens mentioned. “I assumed it bought higher and higher and higher. I feel he really felt higher, or, a minimum of, he informed me he felt higher on the finish of the Knicks collection.”
Stevens attributed Brown’s need to play by the damage to his warrior mindset, one thing Brown and his teammates have spoken to loads of instances all year long.
“Jaylen needs to play,” Stevens mentioned. “Jaylen is a competitor. Jaylen is a warrior. Jaylen takes nice satisfaction in being on the market.”
What the Celtics count on from Jaylen Brown subsequent season
With Jayson Tatum anticipated to be sidelined with an Achilles rupture most — if not all — of subsequent season, it’s seemingly that Brown must tackle a much bigger function on each ends of the ground.
This season, the Celtics have been 8-2 with out Tatum within the common season, and 2-1 within the playoffs. In these video games, Brown has averaged 24.2 factors, 6.9 rebounds, and 6.7 assists.
Requested Brad Stevens about his confidence degree in Jaylen Brown main the group subsequent yr with out Jayson Tatum:
“I’ve full religion in Jaylen.” pic.twitter.com/TPXLrbLAHo
— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) Might 19, 2025
Stevens made clear that his confidence in Brown’s capability to assist lead the group with out his co-star.
“I’ve full religion that, any recreation that you’ve these guys on the courtroom, or a kind of guys on the courtroom, you could have an excellent shot,” Stevens mentioned. “And so, I’ve full religion in Jaylen.”
