The Celtics just picked up another big win—and Jaylen Brown played a major role in it. But what really has fans buzzing isn’t just his 31-point performance—it’s the fact he did it while still nursing a knee injury. As the playoffs creep closer, Boston’s walking a tightrope between pushing for dominance and protecting their stars. After the game, head coach Joe Mazzulla didn’t just give an update on Brown—he pulled back the curtain on how both he and Kristaps Porzingis are powering through the pain.
You see, the reigning champions are on their way to becoming the third team to get 60 wins in this regular season. But as we approach the postseason, you may be wondering how Jaylen Brown’s recovery is coming along. Well, if tonight’s game was anything to go by, then all signs point to him dealing with it well. And Joe Mazzulla made sure to praise how Jaylen Brown has navigated the entire situation.
“He’s constantly taking in information on, you know, the environment and what he needs to do. So I think he’s doing a great job. He’s doing a really good job of handling it, he’s doing a good job of managing it. He’s doing a good job, you know, whether it’s in the weight room or the training room…I think he’s really doing a good job of figuring out ways to be effective for our team,” said the Celtics HC at the post-game press conference.
Jan 5, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla talks to guard Jaylen Brown (7) on a break in play against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the third quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
With the way he’s played since his return, you can’t really argue otherwise. Brown seemed non-committal when a reporter asked him about the implications of playing through this injury following the loss to Miami. “It hurts, you know, that’s it.” And that probably had you Celtics fans worried. But thankfully, tonight, even though he didn’t look like he was at 100%, he sure played like it!
And if Brown can keep figuring out the best way to help his team, like Mazzulla said. Well, the Celtics look to be unstoppable heading into the Playoffs. Especially with one of his teammates adding and embracing a new aspect of his game.
Joe Mazzulla praises Kristaps Porzingis for his physicality
Tonight’s game against the Phoenix Suns proved to be quite a physical game. But more so for one player than the others. We’re talking about the Celtics’ big man, Kristaps Porzingis, of course. KP had to exit early because of an elbow in the fourth quarter that left him bleeding from the bridge of his nose. He left in good spirits as he walked back to the locker room.
But before his injury, Kristaps was marshalling the court like no one else. In fact, we’ll let Joe Mazzulla’s praise paint the picture for you. “He was the spearhead, attacking their switching and getting deep post catches. And getting to the free-throw line and fighting for space and fighting for those deep paint touches there. So I think he’s embraced that, really,” said Mazzulla. But don’t think offense is all Porzingis added to the Celtics’ game tonight.
Here’s what Joe said about KP on the other end. “And then what he did defensively, meeting guys at the rim, it’s important that we do that. And, you know, I’m grateful that he plays with that physicality,” confessed Mazzulla. What all this translated into was the Celtics outscoring the Phoenix Suns by 20 points despite Devin Booker playing at his highest level tonight and dropping 37 points.
If these Celtics players can keep this up, their team has a very good shot at becoming repeat champions this year. With so many teams in great form, this postseason poses to be quite exciting! Let’s just hope the positive updates keep coming as far as Jaylen Brown’s injury goes, though.
The post Joe Mazzulla Drops Update on Jaylen Brown Injury as Celtics HC Makes Admission on Kristaps Porzingis’ Bloody Night appeared first on EssentiallySports.