The Celtics went into their matchup against the Nets on Saturday evening with a few key players sitting out, managing rest on the second night of a back-to-back after their win over the Heat. Heading into Saturday’s game against the Nets, the Celtics weren’t sure if both of their stars would be available. Jaylen Brown, dealing with a knee issue, was questionable after missing Friday’s win in Miami.
Well, Brown did play but not for long. The 4x All-Star’s night took an unfortunate turn against the Nets as he left the game with back spasms. The Celtics later listed him as doubtful to return, which isn’t the update fans hoped for. His exit came midway through the third quarter when Payton Pritchard stepped in at the 6:12 mark.
If he’s done for the night, the reigning Finals MVP will wrap things up with eight points on 3-of-8 shooting, along with six boards, three dimes, two blocks, and a steal in 24 minutes. Not exactly how Boston wanted this one to play out.
Brown has been a driving force for the Celtics all season, putting up solid numbers night after night. Before entering this match, he averaged 23.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.3 steals, shooting 46% from the floor and 31.6% from deep while logging 35.4 minutes per game.
Celtics Injury Report Update at Brooklyn:
Jaylen Brown – Low Back Spasm – DOUBTFUL TO RETURN
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) March 15, 2025
But his last performance? Not exactly one to remember. When Boston faced the Thunder, Brown struggled to find his rhythm, finishing with just 10 points on 5-of-15 shooting. He grabbed five boards, dished out two assists, and added a block and two steals, but it wasn’t enough to avoid the loss.
The C’s, though, have been rolling. They’ve won seven of their last 10 and are locked in for the playoffs, likely securing the No. 2 seed in the East. With the season winding down, the focus is on entering the postseason with momentum.
Now, the big question—how serious is Brown’s injury? Boston fans are crossing their fingers that these back spasms don’t turn into something that lingers when it matters most. But while Brown’s health is a major concern, another issue looms large: the Celtics’ growing reliance on three-point shooting.
Can Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum fend off the Bucks in the Playoffs?
Oklahoma City just gave the league a blueprint on how to beat the Celtics—attack the midrange and let Boston shoot themselves out of the game. The Celtics jacked up a wild 63 threes against the Thunder, sinking just 20. That ice-cold shooting cost them the game, and Gilbert Arenas believes it could send them packing early in the playoffs.
On Gil’s Arena, the former All-Star pointed out how a team like the Bucks, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, could exploit this flaw. Giannis, an absolute force inside, is finishing 72% at the rim this season. Arenas thinks that kind of efficiency would cancel out Boston’s three-heavy approach, especially if they keep shooting just 31.7% from deep like they did against the Thunder instead of their usual 37%. “There’s one person that’s gonna average 30-something,” Arenas said. “He’s going to get in the lane, and he’s going to offset these chucked threes you’re taking.”
Mar 2, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown (7) defended by Denver Nuggets forward Christian Braun (0) during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images
The Celtics’ reliance on threes won them a title, but it’s a risky game. One bad night from deep in a best-of-seven series, and they could be done. Boston has already shattered three-point attempt records, launching 48.2 per game—far beyond the 27 the 2014-15 Warriors took.
Giannis only makes things worse for them. He’s shooting 60.3% from the field and has even added a respectable midrange jumper to his bag. If he keeps this up in the playoffs, Boston better have a backup plan.
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