April is here, and the NBA playoffs are just around the corner.
For most contending teams, a blend of trying to play their best brand of basketball while also nurturing key injuries will be the mantra for the next two weeks.
The Celtics — fresh off their 18th championship victory a season ago — are 56-20 and stand as the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.
While they won’t lead the conference like they did a season ago, with the Cavaliers taking the reins in that regard, they are certainly among the favorites to win the title this season. Any time pundits or fans share their concern for the Celtics this postseason, it comes back to one key issue: injuries.
Jaylen Brown was quite candid about one issue he’s dealing with, claiming he played through a knee injury during the Celtics’ 124-103 loss to the Miami Heat.
“I was in some pain today, but just pushing through it,” Brown revealed. “Trying to find ways to still be aggressive and add value to the team. But just something I’ve got to work through and manage.”
Brown delivers one-word response regarding NBA’s rule
The reason and motive behind some players playing through an injury late in the season wouldn’t have been in question in years past. However, with the league implementing a 65-game minimum for players to win awards, that’s a conversation to be had nowadays.
For Brown, who has appeared in 60 games, is he playing through an injury unnecessarily to reach that 65-game minimum? After the club’s loss to the Heat, he answered that question simply and candidly.
“No,” Brown said, offering a one-word response to the question.
Evidently, the NBA Finals MVP isn’t concerned about awards or playing 65 games. Repeating as a champion and finishing the regular season strong might just be why he’s playing through pain.
While injury concern is there, Boston is certainly in the running to repeat as a champion and win their 19th banner.
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