The preseason finale for the Boston Celtics took a concerning turn when All-Star swingman Jaylen Brown exited the game against the Toronto Raptors due to tightness in his left hamstring. This incident occurred on the evening of October 18, 2023, at TD Garden, just days before the Celtics’ season opener against the Philadelphia 76ers on October 22.
Brown had made an impressive start to the game, scoring seven points, grabbing two rebounds, and securing one steal in just seven minutes. However, midway through the first quarter, he reached for his hamstring after executing a pass in transition. Following this, he was substituted out of the game and headed directly to the locker room with team trainers, where he remained for the rest of the night.
Early in the second quarter, Brown was officially ruled doubtful to return, raising concerns about his fitness ahead of the regular season. After the Celtics managed a close 110-108 victory, head coach Joe Mazzulla provided a brief update on Brown’s condition. “I think he’ll be OK,” Mazzulla told reporters. “I just talked to him after, he said he’ll be fine. But I didn’t get a full update.” While this news is reassuring, the timeline for Brown’s recovery remains uncertain, particularly given that he is set to play a pivotal role with Jayson Tatum currently sidelined due to recovery from Achilles surgery.
Brown’s performance in the preseason has been noteworthy. He led the Celtics with 21 points in their first preseason game against the Memphis Grizzlies and contributed eight points, six assists, and five rebounds in a subsequent win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Last season, he averaged 22.2 points per game on 46.3% shooting, along with 5.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists over 63 regular-season games. In the postseason, he maintained a scoring average of 22.1 points and 7.0 rebounds.
With the season opener rapidly approaching, the Celtics are closely monitoring Brown’s situation. If he is not cleared to play, Mazzulla may consider alternatives such as Chris Boucher or Josh Minnott to fill his spot in the starting lineup. The team hopes for a swift recovery for Brown, whose contributions will be crucial as the Celtics aim for a strong start to the season.