The Boston Celtics haven’t been the picture of health this season and in what’s become an uncommon instance this season, it seems as if they’ll have all of their players available on Sunday night. Per Celtics head coach Brad Stevens, shooting guard Jaylen Brown (back), point guard Terry Rozier (illness) and forward Guerschon Yabusele (sore foot) should each be ready to go against the potentially playoff-bound Orlando Magic.
Brown’s back was so tight prior to their matchup against the Indiana Pacers, that he was unable to turn his torno. Prior to the matchup, Brown would discuss the nature of his injury, telling the Boston Globe‘s Adam Himmelsbach that the cause of it was simply an attempt to pick a basketball up off the ground.
“I’ve never experienced it [like this] where it’s hard to bend down, it’s hard to stand up or put your socks on,” Brown told The Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach. “I’ve had it where I landed on my back and had injuries where I fell. That was like a bruise, but this is more muscular I think than anything.”
Per NBC Sports Boston‘s Darren Hartwell, Brown would have this to add about his injury. One that Celtics president and general manager Danny Ainge would note he personally went through multiple times in his career:
“Like, I’m uncomfortable just sitting down right now,” Brown said. “It’s like my back feels like it’s just like squeezing together. It’s hard to reach over, hard to move to the left, move to the right. It’s like a sharp pain, plus the tightness.”
Rozier, whose season has been difficult to assess, was taken to the hospital after Friday’s win over the Indiana Pacers to receive an IV treatment. He and Brown are key players in Boston’s second unit and have been exceptionally level-headed throughout the season.
Against the Magic, who have one of the league’s best defenses and a number of offensive players that can light up the scoreboard, both players may be more valuable for their defensive contributions than their offensive play. However, there’s little doubt that Boston is a better team with both guards in the lineup.
Rozier and Brown are averaging a combined 21.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.8 steals per game this season.
