Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown. Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

The Celtics need to rest Jaylen Brown ahead of the playoffs

By Adam Taylor | Last updated 4/4/24

The Boston Celtics secured the best record in the NBA with their win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday. However, it was still obvious that Jaylen Brown's left hand was bothering him.

“I think I got a sprain or a strain on a ligament in my hand,” Brown said in his postgame news conference. “But I think it’s fine, something I’m not really concerned with going forward. It bothered me a little bit tonight. Part of it is playing through it because it gives you more information, but I think it’s nothing to be concerned about.”

Regardless of whether Brown's injury projects to be a short-term ailment or something that needs more attention, the Celtics would be wise to rest him in the coming weeks.

Joe Mazzulla's team officially has nothing left to play for over its next six games. Risking Brown's injury becoming serious would be a miscalculation from the coaching staff.

Brown has emerged as a major piece of the Celtics puzzle this season. He's tightened up his dribble and embraced his role as a feature scorer on offense and an elite point-of-attack defender on the other side of the floor. His athleticism and explosiveness are key aspects of how the Celtics create rim pressure to open up their perimeter spacing.

Resting Brown, even for a small stretch of games, could ensure he's at full strength when the postseason begins. He's too important to Boston's chances of success for him to be risked during games that have no impact or meaning.

The Celtics have navigated the regular season with poise, and it's hard to envision them risking it all by letting Brown play through an injury at this point in the calendar.

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