The Boston Celtics are set to embark on a four-game road trip starting Monday against the Indiana Pacers, but they will likely be missing their star player Jaylen Brown. Following a disappointing 100-95 loss to the San Antonio Spurs last Saturday, the Celtics listed Brown as doubtful for the upcoming game due to low back spasms, according to the team’s injury report released on Sunday.
In addition to Brown’s uncertain status, the Celtics have ruled out both Josh Minott and Jayson Tatum, while Sam Hauser’s status remains questionable due to right hamstring tightness. This means the team may have to rely heavily on their remaining players to fill the gaps.
The Celtics have seen a robust performance from Brown this season, as he has played in 36 of the team’s 38 games and recently logged a season-high 43 minutes in the loss against San Antonio. Coach Joe Mazzulla may be opting to rest Brown as a precaution, allowing him to recover while still keeping a strong competitive edge.
Despite the potential absences of both Tatum and Brown, the Celtics are still favored to win against the Pacers, who currently hold the worst record in the Eastern Conference at 8-31 and are without their own star, Tyrese Haliburton. Boston has already faced Indiana twice this season, emerging victorious in both games by a significant margin of 26 points. Notably, Brown made a substantial contribution in those victories, scoring at least 30 points in each matchup.
In the event that Brown cannot play on Monday night, players like Payton Pritchard and Derrick White are anticipated to step up and fill the void. Should Brown’s condition prevent him from participating, he could potentially return for Thursday’s game against the Miami Heat.
The Celtics remain optimistic about their chances as they navigate through this challenging period, showcasing resilience and depth as key attributes in their pursuit of continued success this season.