Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
All-Star forward Jaylen Brown is set to return to the Boston Celtics lineup after sitting out the last two games with left Achilles tendonitis. Brown, who sat out the Celtics’ win over the Atlanta Hawks on Friday and the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday, will return for the rematch against Atlanta, this time on the road.
Brown’s return also coincides with Jayson Tatum sitting out the second night of a back-to-back set after the 6-time All-Star posted a season-best 32 points in Sunday’s win. Tatum has yet to play back-to-backs since returning from an Achilles injury.
Celtics Injury Report
The Celtics, on a three-game winning streak, have also listed center Neemias Queta (thumb sprain), reserve wing Ron Harper Jr. (ankle sprain) and defensive ace Derrick White (knee contusion) on the injury report. White is expected to return after sitting out Sunday’s game against the Hawks.
With Queta unlikely to play Monday, the Celtics might start Luke Garza, with rookie Amari Williams and 10-day signee Charles Bassey getting increased playing time.
Meanwhile, Nikola Vucevic, who fractured his ring finger in a game against the Dallas Mavericks earlier this month, will miss his 12th straight game.
Celtics Enter Final Stretch
The win against the Hornets on Sunday meant the Celtics clinched a playoff berth for a 12th straight season — the longest streak among all active NBA teams.
“I think it’s a testament to the alignment of the organization and to the players,” head caoch Joe Mazzulla said, via CelticsBlog. “We’ve shifted players over the last five years a bunch of different ways, but winning still remains the most important thing.
“It’s a minor milestone. I wouldn’t say that it’s a true definition of success, but I think it’s a definition of consistency. And I think that starts with the players that put on the jersey and have an understanding that winning is the most important thing, and how serious they take it. So I think a lot of it has to do with them.”
The Celtics (50-24) have a relatively easy schedule the rest of the way, with all eight of their games slated to take place against their Eastern Conference foes. The game against the Knicks on April 9 could carry higher stakes, given that Mike Brown’s team still has an outside chance of surpassing the Celtics for the No. 2 seed heading into the playoffs.
Sai Mohan covers the NBA for Heavy.com. Based in Portugal, Sai is a seasoned sports writer with nearly two decades of publishing experience, including bylines at Yardbarker, FanSided’s Hoops Habit, International Business Times, Hindustan Times and more. More about Sai Mohan
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