The Boston Celtics ended Tuesday with a winning record for the first time this season. Joe Mazzulla’s team overcame the Brooklyn Nets to secure a 113-99 victory, which was their eighth of the season.
Interestingly, Jaylen Brown only saw 10 minutes of playing time during the first half. When speaking to the media after the game, the All-Star forward was highly critical of his performance.
“I was just playing like s–t in the first half,” Brown said. “Turning the ball over. So it just took a minute for me to figure it out, but I kind of picked it up to close the game. But I’ve got to come out to a better start in the first half, especially in the first quarter, because the team kind of feeds off me, I know that; so I’ve got to be better, and Joe’s just holding me to a higher standard.”
Brown struggled to take care of the ball against Brooklyn, ending the night with eight turnovers. However, he found his scoring touch in the third quarter, which gave Boston a platform to push forward and secure a win.
With Jayson Tatum absent from the rotation due to an Achilles injury, Brown is shouldering a heavy load his season. Unfortunately for him, that means poor performances will be amplified, mainly if the rest of the team follows suit.
Celtics’ Joe Mazzulla Explains Brown’s Minutes
Throughout the opening weeks of the season, Joe Mazzulla has experimented with different lineups, rotations and minutes distribution. And, while the power forward position has been a specific position of focus, it’s clear that he’s also willing to make changes on the fly.
When addressing the media after the game, Mazzulla explained why Brown’s first-half minutes were limited before praising his overall impact on the game.
Brown certainly responded to Mazzulla’s coaching during the second half. He will likely look to carry that production into Friday, when the Celtics will face the Nets for the second straight game.
Jaylen Brown Advocated For Jordan Walsh
A recent trend for the Celtics has been the increased playing time Jordan Walsh has received. The third-year forward has been impressive since sliding into the starting lineup, providing defense and athleticism.
On Tuesday, Walsh revealed that Brown has been advocating for his additional minutes behind the scenes.
“We were talking about how he felt like we needed a player who can go in and guard the best player every night, and he said I think it could be you,” Walsh said.
Brown has emerged as a genuine leader for Boston this season, both on the court and in the locker room. That evolution will continue to pay dividends, both this season and as the team rebuilds itself back into contention.
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