Jaylen Brown's Status for Celtics' NBA Season Opener Uncertain amid Hamstring Injury
Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown's availability for the team's season-opener is reportedly uncertain.
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla said Brown "was able to do everything but the live stuff" in practice on Friday but didn't give an indication of if he'll be ready for the start of the regular season as he recovers from a hamstring injury, per John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal.
Brown suffered the injury in the first quarter of Boston's preseason matchup with the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday.
Brown finished with seven points, two rebounds and one steal in seven minutes prior to leaving the contest.
It's understandable if the Celtics choose to take a cautious approach with his recovery, as he only appeared in 63 games last season due to a partially torn meniscus in his right knee that eventually required surgery on June 11.
Brown remained effective despite battling through the injury throughout the second half of the year, averaging 22.2 points and 5.8 rebounds to go along with 4.5 assists per game on 46.3/32.4/76.4 shooting splits. He earned his fourth All-Star nod.
The 2024 NBA Finals MVP is set to take over as Boston's top scoring option for the 2025-26 season as Jayson Tatum continues to rehab from a torn Achilles that he suffered during the team's 2025 second-round playoff matchup with the New York Knicks.
The Celtics' rotation will also look vastly different during the upcoming year following the offseason departures of Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porziņģis in separate trades.
If Brown can't suit up to begin the regular season, Derrick White and Payton Pritchard will take on larger roles leading Boston's offense.
The Celtics open their 2025-26 campaign against the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday, Oct. 22 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
