Jaylen Brown injury update will lead to a positive spin of negative news

For most of the last two seasons, the Boston Celtics have been very fortunate with their injury luck (outside of Kristaps Porzingis, that is). Their advantageous health situation was essential to their 2024 NBA Championship run. But just a few games into their new campaign, they are dealing with a significant absence.

Jaylen Brown missed Boston’s second straight game against the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday night due to a left hip flexor issue, and he’s slated to be sidelined on Monday against the Atlanta Hawks. He told Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe that he will have a second MRI on the ailment in the coming days.

It’s obviously not an ideal situation for Boston to be in, but there is a positive they can find during Brown’s time out.

Celtics will find a way to make the most of Jaylen Brown's potential time on the sidelines

There has been no indication of how long Brown could be on the sidelines, but while he’s sitting out, the Celtics will have an opportunity to get an extended look at some of their bench guys.

First and foremost, Jordan Walsh should earn some extra run. The second-year wing has looked solid during his minutes early in the season, and if Brown misses time, he should play even more.

Joe Mazzulla could choose to roll out more double-big lineups, too, which would mean more playing time for Luke Kornet, Neemias Queta, and Xavier Tillman.

Plus, Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser will get to play some extra minutes.

Why is this a positive? Well, through his first two seasons leading the Celtics, Mazzulla has leaned a lot on trust. He only plays guys that he trusts to do the right thing and play Boston’s brand of basketball. And when the playoffs roll around, his rotation shortens, and only a select few make the list.

Brown’s place in that group is going nowhere, so while he is out, Mazzulla will have a great chance to identify some other guys who could step into the role.

Should someone like Walsh, Tillman, or Queta prove worthy of getting regular minutes, then perhaps they could remain in the back of Mazzulla’s mind come playoff time.

Even Pritchard, who has been red-hot to start the season, wasn’t a regular face in Boston’s deep postseason rotation last year. Continuing to play at a high level, especially with Brown out, will raise his stock.

Brown being out is a tough blow for the Celtics, but just as Mazzulla does will all of the NBA’s challenges, Boston will undoubtedly make the most of things and gain an advantage in the long run.