The Boston Celtics are in "The Big Easy," looking for their first win of the season. The 18-time NBA champions are 0-3 to start the 2025-26 campaign. They're also on the second half of a back-to-back, aiming to quickly shake off Sunday's 119-113 road loss to the Detroit Pistons.
As the Celtics await final word on Jaylen Brown's status, the team is initially listing him as questionable on its injury report for Monday's matchup vs. the New Orleans Pelicans. The 2024 NBA Finals MVP is dealing with a hamstring strain.
"I'm just trying to make sure my body is ready to go each and every night," Brown said after Boston's loss to Detroit at Little Caesars Arena. "Starting the year off with a hamstring strain was not ideal. So, those first two weeks, which we're in, are high risk. So, I just need to make sure that I'm getting my recovery [and] taking [care of] my body."
Jaylen Brown's update on his hamstring injury
The four-time All-Star has spoken on multiple occasions about the first two weeks after a hamstring strain having the highest risk of reinjuring it. It would be understandable if that made the franchise uneasy about him playing in both halves of a back-to-back.
Brown entered Sunday's contest against the Pistons as questionable to play. After going through a pregame workout, he got upgraded to available.
The former All-NBA Second Team selection then generated a game-high 41 points, grabbed six rebounds, and dished out four assists, tying Payton Pritchard for the most on Boston, in 35 minutes.
Still, his hamstring injury requires daily assessment. "It will be managed as daily, depending on how he feels after each game," Joe Mazzulla conveyed before Sunday's loss to Detroit.
Commendably, Brown wants to lead his team and be available for them every night. That has him pushing to play in the second half of the Celtics' back-to-back against the Pelicans.
"It was all right. It was a little tight today, I think just taking some smaller steps, but going into the back-to-back, we got to figure out how to get one game," voiced Brown. "So, I'm just doing everything I possibly can to be as ready as possible. That's the key. I think I just want to be on the floor every night, if I can be. So, we got a back-to-back first, back-to-back of the year. I'm looking forward to it."
The only other player on the Celtics' injury report is Jayson Tatum. As for the Pelicans, per their injury report, Yves Missi is questionable due to a right ankle sprain. Karlo Matkovic shares that status because of lower back spasms. Kevon Looney is out due to a left knee sprain. And Dejounte Murray is out while rehabbing a right Achilles rupture.
Monday night's matchup in New Orleans will tip off at 8:00 EST at the Smoothie King Center.