WALTHAM, Mass. _ Celtics swingman Jaylen Brown is doubtful for Monday's opening game of the Eastern Conference semifinal series vs. the 76ers with a hamstring injury, according to coach Brad Stevens.
Brown suffered the injury late in the second quarter of Boston's 112-96 win over the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 7 of their first-round series on Saturday.
"The last email I saw was that he still has some soreness, didn't try to do anything that I know of running-wise today," Stevens said after the Celtics had a film session at their practice facility on Sunday. "He did have some testing and that looked good, thankfully."
But apparently, not good enough.
"He is doubtful for (Monday), but I guess he could play," Stevens said. "It looks like it could be something that allows him to play as the series goes on."
This is yet another blow to an injury-plagued Celtics team.
The Celtics lost five-time all-star Kyrie Irving to season-ending knee surgery in late March. Prized free-agent acquisition Gordon Hayward only played one game before he suffered a season-ending fracture dislocation of his left ankle. Reserve forward Daniel Theis is also out following knee surgery.
The 6-foot-7 Brown was Boston's second-leading scorer in the Milwaukee series, averaging 17.9 points per game _ and that was after scoring just two points on Saturday.
Brown, 21, is one of the NBA's most improved players. He averaged 6.6 points last season as a rookie and this season averaged 14.5 points.
Stevens said he didn't know who would replace Brown in the starting lineup if he isn't able to go. The Celtics coach mentioned either Marcus Morris or Marcus Smart as possibilities, but wouldn't make a decision until Monday.
