Upsets happen all the time in the NBA. The Boston Celtics learned that the hard way on Wednesday night when they fell 117-97 to the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena, ending the former's win streak at six games.
Although there shouldn't be any excuses made for the loss, it's worth noting that the Celtics were without Jaylen Brown in the Motor City. The four-time NBA All-Star was absent due to a thigh injury he suffered during Tuesday's victory over the Toronto Raptors, leaving time to tell when he'll return to the court.
Celtics Injury News: Jaylen Brown is 'Pretty Banged up'
Following the loss to the Pistons, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla shared a Brown-related injury update with the media. Unfortunately, it isn't the promising news that optimistic Boston fans hoped to hear.
"(Brown is) pretty banged up," Mazzulla told MassLive's Souichi Terada. "He's feeling a little bit better. He's pretty banged up, though, from (Tuesday) night. Just doing what's best for him."
Jaylen Brown sat the Celtics' loss to the Pistons due to the left thigh contusion he suffered the day before against the Raptors. https://t.co/tY1QViuZef
— masslivesports (@masslivesports) February 27, 2025
The latest injury news has left Celtics fans wondering if Brown will be healthy enough to face the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday. The upcoming showdown is pivotal for the playoff picture because Boston currently trails Cleveland by 6.5 games in the Eastern Conference standings with less than 25 contests to go.
While it remains to be seen if Brown will play, Mazzulla made it clear he'll do "what's best" for his star wing.
"He's a guy where he puts his body through a lot and plays so much regardless," Mazzulla said. "Sometimes you gotta save the guys from themselves."
Drafted third overall in 2016, Brown is now in his ninth campaign with the Celtics. The former California Golden Bear has spent the last near-decade cementing himself as one of the NBA's best winger players, however, his latest performance is leaving much to be desired.
In 49 appearances so far, Brown is averaging 22.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.2 steals while playing over 35 minutes per night. The Marietta, GA native's 46.4% field-goal and 31.7% three-point percentages make for one of the worst shooting efforts of his career, highlighting the need for Brown to improve if the Celtics are to go on another deep playoff run this spring.
It would be great if Brown could finally put his injury woes behind him, however, that might be easier said than done. As much of a game-changer he can be, the 28-year-old star's NBA career has been plagued by injuries, highlighted by his reaching the 70-game mark just once in the five previous seasons.
Fortunately, Brown's underwhelming 2024-25 performance isn't hurting his team's outlook. The Celtics are still darlings among oddsmakers, proven by their still being FanDuel Sportsbook's +175 favorite to win the 2025 NBA Finals.
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