The Boston Celtics’ playoff chances took a massive hit on Monday, as Jaylen Brown is set to miss the remainder of the season.
The Boston Celtics have four games remaining in the regular season to try and sneak into the playoffs and avoid the Eastern Conference play-in round. With the team two games behind the Miami Heat and a head-to-head matchup with Miami still remaining, it certainly is attainable. However, Boston’s chances are trending in the opposite direction following the latest update on one of their star players.
On Monday, the Celtics announced that swingman Jaylen Brown was diagnosed with a torn scapholunate ligament in his left wrist and is set to undergo season-ending surgery this week.
Celtics: Jaylen Brown out for season as Boston’s playoff chances take a hit
Brown had been on the sidelines since suffering a right ankle sprain on May 2 in Boston’s 129-119 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. As a result of that injury, Brown missed Boston’s following three games against the Orlando Magic, Chicago Bulls and the Heat. Now, he is out for the season with a left wrist injury.
Through 58 games this season, Brown averaged 24.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.2 steals a night while shooting 48.4 percent from the field and 39.7 percent from 3-point range.
The Celtics needed their entire roster healthy entering the final week of the NBA season. They had already lost to the Heat 130-124 this past Sunday and are set to face off against them for the final time on Tuesday. After that, Boston plays the Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves and New York Knicks to close out the campaign.
Could the Celtics pull off a miracle and clinch a playoff spot? Sure. But it is hard to see them making a deep run in the playoffs without Brown, especially if they have to contend against the Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets or Milwaukee Bucks.