Celtics' Jaylen Brown Reportedly Got Injection For Knee Injury Before NBA Playoffs

Jaylen Brown's knee injury reportedly required an injection as the Boston Celtics prepare to begin defense of the NBA championship when the playoffs start next week.

Per ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, Brown received a painkilling injection in his right knee and is expected to be ready for the start of the postseason.

The Celtics have listed Brown on the injury report with a knee issue dating back to March 2. He has missed eight games since that date, including three straight from March 18-23 and each of the past two games.

Shelburne noted the exact nature of Brown's injury is a bone bruise that has started causing him more pain in recent weeks.

Speaking to reporters after the Celtics' loss to the Miami Heat on April 2, Brown said he was "in some pain" and finding ways to push through it.

Holding Brown out of Friday's 130-94 win over the Charlotte Hornets ensures he won't hit the 65-game threshold to become eligible for awards and All-NBA consideration. The four-time All-Star has played 63 games this season with one remaining on Sunday.

Assuming Brown doesn't play in the regular-season finale against the Hornets, that will give him at least 10 full days of rest between games. His most recent appearance was in Boston's overtime win against the New York Knicks on Tuesday.

The Celtics' first playoff game will either be on April 19 or 20. Brown's performance has diminished since the knee injury became a problem. He is averaging 18.3 points on 45.0 percent shooting, 5.1 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game in 13 starts since March 2.

Brown hasn't played more than 30 minutes in a game since March 12 against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Boston has already secured the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. The defending NBA champs will play the winner of the play-in tournament game between the Atlanta Hawks and Orlando Magic in the first round.