Coming into the playoffs, Jaylen Brown reportedly had a bone bruise in his knee that restricted the All-Star’s explosiveness and lateral quickness. As such, we did not get the chance to see the participant who gained the NBA Finals MVP simply 12 months in the past.
The Boston Celtics postseason went from unhealthy to worse when Jayson Tatum went down with an Achilles tear. Now, it will seem Brown’s harm was additionally worse than first feared.
“Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown completed the season with {a partially} torn proper meniscus, sources informed ESPN,” ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reported on May 16. “ESPN beforehand reported that Brown had acquired ache injections in his knee. These injections started in March, sources stated.”
Brown’s harm may probably preserve him out for the opening months of the 2025-26 season. As such, the Celtics can be with out each of their stars. Given the price of the present roster, Brad Stevens will undoubtedly be seeking to make some modifications within the coming months. Brown’s knee concern and the truth that his knees have been an ongoing problem for years may make him a possible commerce candidate.
The Celtics are dealing with a reality they never planned for. What as soon as projected as a dynasty now appears to be like like a one-and-done roster. Re-tooling over the following 12-18 months is the neatest path ahead, making certain the workforce is in place to compete when its stars return in full. Nonetheless, if the Celtics do not belief that Brown will make a full restoration and concern his knees will turn out to be a recurring downside, he will not be a part of the following iteration.
It is seemingly Boston is nearer to the lottery than it’s to a championship subsequent season. A 28-year-old supermax expertise, who depends on athleticism whereas having knee troubles, is not the kind of participant you need to anchor your workforce round. As such, the Celtics may have to pivot, and that might scupper the plans they put in place as soon as it was clear Tatum was going to be out for a major period of time. Celtics followers will undoubtedly hope someone wakes them up from this nightmare.