The Boston Celtics will have the 2024 NBA Finals MVP in the lineup on opening night. Jaylen Brown tested his hamstring out pregame, after which, the team ruled him available on its final injury report.
Brown went through multiple practices in full leading up to Wednesday's rivalry clash against the Philadelphia 76ers. His status for the contest was in jeopardy due to injuring his right hamstring in Boston's preseason finale against the Toronto Raptors.
But speaking with the local media after practice at the Auerbach Center on Monday, the four-time All-Star shared that he wasn't concerned about the matter, even after heading to the locker room seven minutes into that matchup against the Raptors.
"Maybe a little tweak, but nothing crazy," said Brown. He also signaled that Celtics fans should feel optimistic about him playing on opening night.
"We'll take it one day at a time, but as of now, I feel great," he expressed when asked about his status for Wednesday's game against the Sixers.
As for the visitors, their injury report brings mixed reviews.
76ers without Paul George on opening night
Paul George is still ramping up for his season debut. Speaking about that progression before tip-off of Wednesday's tilt at TD Garden, his head coach, Nick Nurse, said, "He's just got some boxes to get through."
As the nine-time All-Star works his way back from a knee injury, he recently started participating in three-on-three activities. So, perhaps he will be available when the Celtics and Sixers square off in a rematch in Philadelphia on Halloween.
As far as opening night goes, the visitors are also without Jared McCain, who is recovering from right thumb surgery, and Trendon Watford, who is dealing with left hamstring tightness.
However, the 76ers will have Joel Embiid patrolling the pivot on the parquet on Wednesday. While Nick Nurse said that he is on a minutes restriction, he also praised the work the former league MVP has put in to prepare for the upcoming campaign.
"He's done a great job this summer. He's worked really hard," said Embiid's bench boss. "It's great that he's gotten to where he is right now."
The five-time All-NBA selection will pose a significant challenge for the Celtics' new-look front line in the half-court. The two-time scoring champion will be a handful offensively and on the glass.
As Derrick White told Hardwood Houdini after practice on Tuesday, "He's one of the best bigs in the game. I don't know if there's anybody in the league that can guard him. So, it's a team effort."
And when Boston is able to get out and run, it will turn the tables, getting the chance to create a numbers advantage as Embiid struggles to keep up.
What side of that equation proves a net positive will be a fascinating plot line to monitor in this opening night rivalry clash that tips off at 7:30 EST.