
Celtics upgrade Jaylen Brown, clear two starters ahead of Kings matchup
Jaylen Brown could make his return from a knee injury Monday night in Sacramento.
After sitting out the last three games, the All-Star wing was upgraded to questionable ahead of the Celtics’ road matchup with the Kings.
Boston announced late last week that Brown was dealing with a bone bruise in his knee and would be reevaluated Monday. He’s missed four of the last five games and five of the last nine.
In order to qualify for All-NBA and All-Defensive consideration, Brown — who’s also battled shoulder, hip and ankle issues this season — would need to play in at least nine of the Celtics’ final 11 contests. He’s made 56 appearances thus far, averaging 22.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game.
The Celtics also removed starters Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday from the injury report after both sat out Sunday night’s 129-116 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. Al Horford was ruled out against the Kings — unsurprising, as he and Porzingis both do not play both ends of back-to-backs.
Sam Hauser, who helped lead the shorthanded Celtics past the Blazers by going 8-for-10 from 3-point range, was listed as questionable with low back stiffness. Hauser has battled lingering back issues since the summer but has shot the ball well of late, going 29-for-58 from deep (50.0%) over his last seven contests.
Seldom-used reserve big man Xavier Tillman was ruled out with a left knee joint sprain. He has not appeared in a game since March 6.