The Boston Celtics have been one of the teams in the Eastern Conference that have battled injuries. Jayson Tatum has missed the entire season because of a torn Achilles tendon. There’s a shot that Tatum returns at some point this season, but that depends on how good they are later in the year.
Despite that, Boston is sixth in the Eastern Conference standings. After being expected to be a lottery team, they are above the line to stay out of the play-in to qualify for the playoffs. A lot of that is thanks to Jaylen Brown. Brown is now the number-one option on the team.
Without Tatum, Brown is posting the highest offensive rating of his career. Brown has also stayed healthy this year after undergoing offseason knee surgery. Unfortunately, Brown will not play against the Wizards.
GettyJaylen Brown dribbles the ball. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics Rule Jaylen Brown Out vs. Wizards
Brown has been ruled out of a game against the Washington Wizards due to an illness. It is the first game this season that Brown has missed for the Celtics. If he is going to miss a game, this is the game for him to miss. Washington has the worst record in the East.
With Brown leading the way, the Celtics have been one of the surprises in the NBA. Boston still has the fourth-best offense in basketball, even without Jayson Tatum. Joe Mazzulla has been able to adapt his team without Tatum on the floor to still be one that plays hard and wins games.
Boston might not be considered a title-contender this season, but it can still make the playoffs. There are too many bad teams in the East, especially with the Pacers, 76ers, and Bucks dealing with injuries. The Celtics have a shot to avoid the play-in, too.
GettyJaylen Brown motions during a game. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Celtics’ Jaylen Brown Playing at All-Star Level
Brown has been the best player for the Celtics this season, and he is playing at an All-Star level. He’s averaging career-highs in scoring, rebounding, and shooting percentage. He has proven that he is a capable number-one option, even though he’s seen as a number-two behind Tatum.
The Celtics were seen as a team that could be sellers at the trade deadline before the season started. Now the question remains if that will be true with how this year has started. Perhaps they stand pat and see if Tatum is able to actually return this season from his injury.
Brown’s ability to stay healthy has been the biggest key to Boston’s surprising success. He is the stabilizing force in the Celtics’ lineup. He has clearly gone up a level, which gives them promise to return as a title contender next year when Tatum is fully healthy.
It’s unclear how many games Brown will miss with this illness. It is a non-COVID illness, so he should return in relatively short order. Boston needs him to be back soon to keep their spot in the standings.
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