Jaylen Brown is still doubtful for game two against the Philadelphia 76ers
The Boston Celtics did not need Jaylen Brown to win game one, but you cannot like their chances at winning this series without him. He was a true game time decision in game one, with a hamstring injury that has never looked too serious.
Given how close he was in game one, most expected him to return after the extra day off for game two. Now the he has been downgraded to doubtful for game two, you cannot anticipate he will play (Via NBA.com).
There is still a chance, Marcus Smart was doubtful just one day before he returned to the lineup, but the situations are difficult to compare.
Brown is dealing with a hamstring injury, so there is nothing too long term or detrimental. The rest Brown is getting is still about the short term, because rushing him back could mean he never gets back to his best for this series, without being dangerous to the long term future.
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As long as Brown is fully recovered when he comes back, there will be no limitations on his game, With a hamstring, however, if he is not completely recovered, then he will be held back in every game he plays.
When the Celtics have held players out wit injuries, and appeared to be overly cautious, it has been with the future in mind. They will never risk anything about future seasons, for any kind of boost this season.
With Brown, this is not an injury that will have any ramifications for next season, but they are willing to sacrifice another game with Brown being held out, if it means getting him at 100 percent, rather than 80 percent when he returns.
You do not want to let a hamstring linger, because that is the only way you can miss extended time. There is still hope that Brown ill return for game two, but it is not the end of the world to see him out of the lineup.
Chances are he is physically ready to come and play, but the Celtics are not going to let him go out there and do something that will threaten the rest of the playoffs, rather than just one more game.
The Celtics have a bit of an extra cushion with that unexpected game one victory, and if that is the key to making sure Brown is fully recovered when he gets back, then missing more time is not going to be the difference in this series.
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Hopefully that extra day of rest will be enough, because getting Brown back with a chance to go up 2-0 could be a integral part of this series. That being said, the Celtics would rather get Brown back at 100 percent at 1-1,instead of rushing him back for that second win, and never having Brown return to full strength these playoffs.