Ahead of their first game of the new year, the reigning champion Boston Celtics are 24-9 and own the No. 2 seed in the East. Ranked as a top-10 team on both sides of the ball, the Celtics look primed for another deep playoff run. Though the Celtics recently had a cold streak, they were able to right the ship before the end of 2024 with a 125-71 victory over the Toronto Raptors. As they go into 2025, the Celtics have a lot to be excited about. However, not all may be great to begin the year as star Jaylen Brown is now dealing with a shoulder injury.
Via Celtics beat writer Zack Cox, Brown was “flexing his right shoulder” during Boston’s victory over Toronto. Additionally, Cox posted a picture of Brown getting his shoulder iced. Ahead of Boston’s battle against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the start of a four-game road trip, the Celtics have listed Brown as questionable due to the injury.
Jaylen Brown now getting that right shoulder iced up with the Celtics starters done for the night. https://t.co/GrIyjsqFEe pic.twitter.com/DbKQP3IJKV
— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) December 31, 2024
Nearly halfway through the season, Brown has missed just five games.
The Celtics are still missing Kristaps Porzingis, who has missed the team’s last three games due to an ankle injury. If Brown misses any time, the Celtics will likely add Sam Hauser to the starting lineup.
Boston Celtics Star’s Status Could Be Cause for Concern
Jaylen Brown’s Season So Far
The Georgia native is putting together another good campaign. In 28 games, he is averaging 24.4 points, 6 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.4 steals. Additionally, he is shooting 46.1% from the field and 33.2% from beyond the arc. At this rate, he should make another All-Star appearance this year.
Furthermore, 2024 as a whole was a good year for Brown on the court. He won Eastern Conference Finals MVP and NBA MVP en route to the first title of his career. Brown was also named SI.com’s NBA Player of the Year.
Brown persevered, stacking successful seasons, earning his first All-NBA nod in ’22–23, after which the Celtics rewarded with a then record five-year, $285-million contract. He’s a reliable defender. His three-point shot has become more consistent. He averaged less than two assists per game his first three seasons; this year, Brown is averaging nearly five. He earned another All-Star spot last season, but it was his willingness to sacrifice—to allow a beefed up roster that added Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis to grow—that was critical to Boston’s 64-win season that culminated with a 16–3 march through the playoffs—and Brown’s first NBA championship.
The Last Word On Jaylen Brown’s Injury
Brown’s injury status is one to monitor from here on out. They remain shorthanded and have a tough stretch of games coming up. Regardless, they are the reigning champions for a reason. The Celtics have arguably the best roster in the NBA and remain title contenders in 2025. Hopefully for the team, Brown will only miss just a few games, if any at all.
