UPDATE: Jaylen Brown is available to play vs. the Heat. Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday have each been ruled out.
The Boston Celtics remain in hot pursuit of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference standings. With just seven games to go, the reigning champs still sit just four games back of the No. 1 seed with the NBA Playoffs looming.
The Celtics host the Miami Heat on Wednesday for a showdown between teams with a little bit of history. However, star wing Jaylen Brown may be sidelined for the contest as he’s listed questionable due to a knee injury.
Brown, the 2024 NBA Finals MVP, missed Monday’s game and spent several other contests on the bench due to injury over the last few weeks. The Celtics will likely take extra precautions with the 28-year-old since the playoffs are just a couple of weeks away, so it wouldn’t be shocking to see him sit Wednesday’s game out.
Over 59 games this season, Brown averages 22.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 4.6 assists for a Celtics squad with championship aspirations. He continues to play a key role as a second option to superstar Jayson Tatum, and while Brown’s shooting efficiency is down in comparison to years past, he’s still a gifted scorer who opposing defenses must account for. On top of that, he’s an active defender and averages a combined 1.5 stocks per game.
Brown isn’t the only player in the Celtics’ rotation whose status for Wednesday is in question. Center Kristaps Porzingis, largely considered to be the X-factor for this team, is questionable due to conditioning. Meanwhile, guard Jrue Holiday is questionable with a shoulder issue, while veteran big man Al Horford is doubtful with a toe ailment. However, center Luke Kornet is off the injury report after dealing with an illness in recent days.
If Brown doesn’t play Wednesday, look for the Celtics’ role player guards such as Derrick White and Payton Pritchard to potentially emerge as value options in DraftKings DFS contests, especially if Holiday also doesn’t play.
