Jaylen Brown’s next evolution is here (just like he said it would be)

ORLANDO — For the last few weeks of the regular season, talks of Jaylen Brown’s knee injury flooded any and all discourse surrounding the Boston Celtics. Brown reportedly received injections to aid the ailment, but before that, he was playing through the issue, apparently in an attempt to prepare himself for the postseason. He said it allowed him to shift his viewpoint on how he was playing.

“It's just learning to make adjustments,” Brown said after a 31-point performance in a win over the Phoenix Suns in early April. “I've probably relied on my athleticism a lot this season, but using more of my skill, playing a little bit slower, which can sometimes be a good thing. So, it's all about just figuring that out, and I've been using these games to kind of figure it out and just take it one day at a time.”

Fast forward to the playoffs, and Brown has made good on that statement.

Jaylen Brown dominated Game 2 of Celtics-Magic by proving his past self right

In Game 2 against the Orlando Magic, Jayson Tatum was sidelined. He injured his wrist after a nasty fall in Game 1, and though he finished out that game, he was downgraded from doubtful to out less than an hour before tip-off on Wednesday night.

It was the first time Tatum had ever missed a playoff game, and with him out, the Celtics needed to find offense elsewhere. Brown looked solid in Game 1, but leaning on him for superstar-level production would be a true test.

A test he eventually passed with flying colors, all thanks to the statement he made just a few weeks prior.

Rather than using his athleticism, burst, and speed to spearhead his offensive attack in Game 2, Brown slowed down the game. He pulled bigs out to the perimeter and dissected them from there. He carefully picked out mismatches in the post if they were there, bullying smaller guards when needed. He ran the pick-and-roll. He used his off-ball gravity to open up the floor. Everything about his game was methodical.

For much of his career, Brown has used his speed and strength as an advantage. Since the Celtics added Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday last year, Brown’s been a monster in transition. But with his knee injury hampering him, he found new ways to control the game—ways he’s always had in his locker but rarely had to employ.

With Tatum out, the Celtics needed Brown to put his full set of skills on display. He did just that. The entire team is ready to step up in Tatum’s absence, and regardless of his status, they know Brown will be leading the way.

“I think it’s just an opportunity that we have,” Al Horford said at shootaround in Orlando on Friday morning. This time of year is just what we’ve been kind of waiting for. To be in this position. To be in the playoffs. And now that we’re here, I feel like we want to take advantage of it. Regardless of JT’s in or out, JB’s going to be ready to go, and he’s going to lead us.”