The Boston Celtics may have even more injury woes looking ahead to next season following their early exit from the NBA playoffs.
Already facing the possibility of a lengthy absence for star forward Jayson Tatum following surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon, the status of another key Celtics player is now in question.
Forward Jaylen Brown played the last part of the season with a partially torn right meniscus, ESPN reported on Sunday. Unidentified sources told ESPN Brown started receiving pain injections in his knee in March and he will be evaluated this week to determine if surgery is needed.
Despite the pain, Brown averaged 22.1 points and 7.1 rebounds in 36.5 minutes per game during the Celtics’ run through the playoffs, which ended with a 119-81 blowout loss to the New York Knicks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
‘Losing to the Knicks feels like death,’ Brown said afterward. ‘But, I was always taught that there’s life after death. So, we’ll get ready for whatever’s next, whatever’s next in the journey I’ll be ready for.’
However, he did strike a hopeful note before heading into the offseason.
‘You just take this with your chin up. I know Boston … it looks gloomy right now, obviously, with JT (Tatum) being out and … kind of the end of the year. But there’s a lot to look forward to. And I want the city to feel excited about that.
‘This is not the end. I’m looking forward to what’s next.’