According to Boston Celtics PR, Jaylen Brown has been upgraded to AVAILABLE for Game 5 against the Orlando Magic on Tuesday night. Brown has been a constant face of the Celtics' injury report for the last couple of months as he continues to deal with a right knee posterior impingement that also includes a bone bruise. The Celtics star received injections in his knee prior to the start of the postseason in an attempt to help the issue.
Jrue Holiday, on the other hand, is OUT for Game 5. This will be his third straight missed game. He's dealing with a right hamstring strain.
That said, Brown's availability could have a major impact on the outcome of the series.
Jaylen Brown upgraded to AVAILABLE for Celtics-Magic Game 5
Brown's knee has been a hot topic of discussion for the past couple of months, and especially in the last week or so of the season. He continuously pushed himself to play through the issue, despite the fact that he wasn't looking great when he was on the court.
These discussions reached a boiling point during Boston's final two-game road trip of the season against the New York Knicks and Magic. Brown played in New York but look very hurt, then, when Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis, Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, and Al Horford were all ruled out against the Magic in Orlando, Brown was questionable.
He didn't end up playing, but the fact that he was even considering it was a hot-button topic.
Many speculated that he was trying to push himself to reach the NBA's 65-game minimum to qualify for end-of-season awards, but he then sat out both of the Celtics' final two games against the Charlotte Hornets, meaning he fell short anyways.
In Game 4 against the Magic, Brown didn't look great. It was very clear that his knee injury was affecting his burst and ability finish at the rim, but his willingness to push the pace still helped Boston's offense.
And with him healthy for Game 5, the Celtics will be receiving a major boost that could impact the entire series, as they have a chance to close the Magic out on Tuesday night and avoid another trip down to Orlando.
Brown's extra scoring ability and rebounding - he had 11 against the Magic in Game 4 - will undoubtedly give the Celtics some much-needed help on both ends of the floor.