BOSTON (AP) 鈥� Boston Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla on Sunday confirmed a report that Jaylen Brown received injections during the week to help his troublesome right knee that鈥檚 limited his playing time the past month.
It was first The MVP sat out and missed in the rematch against the Hornets.
鈥淛ust part of the rehab process for him to get back to be his absolute best,鈥� Mazzulla said Sunday morning, when asked if Brown got any shots in his knee. 鈥淗e鈥檚 continuing to take care of himself and put himself in great position to be ready for the postseason.鈥�
In Boston鈥檚 run to the championship last spring, Brown was their main defender against the opponents鈥� top scorer.
Mazzulla said it was the player鈥檚 decision to sit out. In doing so, because he鈥檒l be short of the league鈥檚 threshold for total games played.
鈥淚t was more, he makes that call,鈥� Mazzulla said. 鈥淗e knows his body better than anybody. He knows exactly where he鈥檚 at. He knows where he needs to get to in order to be at his best for what matters most. The most important thing is trusting him.鈥�
Brown鈥檚 minutes had been decreased the last month or so as he tried to work through the injury.
When asked if he was confident Brown would be ready for the start of the playoffs, Mazzulla said: 鈥淎 hundred percent.鈥�
Celtics guard Payton Pritchard, who scored 34 points in Sunday's 93-86 victory, said the team is ready to go with or without Brown.
鈥淚f he鈥檚 able to play, we go ahead and play. We know how to play with him. Obviously, he鈥檚 one of our guys,鈥� Pritchard said. 鈥淚f he doesn鈥檛, guys are going to have to step up and fill those in different areas. Our team is well-balanced and very deep.鈥�
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AP NBA:
Ken Powtak, The Associated Press
