Jaylen Brown could be out a week as Celtic injuries mount

CLEVELAND — While the Celtics’ emotional health was still a concern after squandering an 18-point fourth-quarter lead and losing by nine in OT to the Nets Tuesday, there were physical concerns as they met the Cavaliers here Wednesday.

Jaylen Brown (right hamstring), Gordon Hayward (right knee contusion) and Kemba Walker (left knee rehab after returning Tuesday) were all left off the team plane.

Brown’s injury is in the same area that’s been problematic in the past and is the most concerning for now.

“I don’t know what the grade is,” said Brad Stevens. “It’s the low end, whatever that is. But I think the prognosis was probably about the same as last time. He missed a game and played on a minutes restriction after that. Probably still looking at seven days on this one.

“Gordon’s more day to day. Kemba came out of (Tuesday night) pretty well, so that was good.”

At this point, the Celts seem to be searching more for health than any help from the buy-out market.

“That’s all part of it,” Stevens said. “We’re just going to have to get healthy. But everyone’s in that boat to some extent. You know, you look across the league and that’s the one thing about the NBA. You let one slip away like (Tuessday) night and the injuries add up, but the games don’t stop. You’re playing (Wednesday) and you’ve got to get on that plane and get in when you get in. Let’s go.

“I’ve made that very clear in all of our staff meetings and everything else. We should just expect to not be healthy. I mean, I think that that’s the way most teams are. We’ve entered the playoffs each of the last three years unhealthy. So, like, I think that that’s probably, unfortunately, as much as we all try to manage that and get to that spot, it’s just part of the game and you hope you can be as healthy as possible. But you play a lot of games and it’s just not always possible.”

The hangover

There were still some lingering, ill feelings from the collapse against Brooklyn. On the positive side, Marcus Smart had spoken to the league and hadn’t heard anything back from his accosting of the officials following the game. He’s still expected to draw a fine of some sort, but he has not, as of yet, been suspended.

Smart went about getting ready prior to the game while checking his phone. As for the incident, “That’s (Tuesday). I’m done with it,” he said.

Tatum returns

Jayson Tatum was back in the lineup after missing the Brooklyn game because of illness.

“I feel better. Deuce got me sick,” he said, pinning it on his son. “I don’t feel a 100%, but I feel pretty good, good enough to play. Just trying to stay hydrated.”

Tatum was on the couch with the child when he got word he’d been named Eastern Conference Player of the Month for February.

“It was cool,” he said. “I guess it’s kind of a big deal. There’s a lot of players they could’ve picked that were deserving, but, you know, I appreciate it.”

Bigger perhaps is former Celtic Paul Pierce saying Tatum could end up being better than him.

“I don’t even want to think about that,” Tatum said. “Somebody that’s a future Hall of Famer and won a championship and had their number retired, you know, it meant a lot for him to say that, but I’ve still got a long way to go. He’s one of the best ever.”

Old college try

They both came to the NBA from head coaching positions at Midwest colleges they had led to multiple Final Four appearances. But that is pretty much where the similarities end for Stevens and John Beilein.

The former was 36 when he was hired by the Celtics in 2013, the latter 66 when he took the Cavaliers’ job last summer.

Stevens is in his seventh season with the Celts; Beilein lasted a little more than four months, compiling a 14-40 record before resigning two weeks to the day after his 67th birthday.

“John’s a great coach,” said Stevens. “You know, every situation’s a little bit different. Not being there, I can’t really comment on why it didn’t go well, but they’re in good hands with J.B. (Bickerstaff).”

Beilein never seemed to be able to get any traction with the Cavs, who are in the midst of a rebuilding project.

“I can’t compare our situation to anybody else’s, because I’m not there,” Stevens said. “But I do know here we had great support from ownership, management, the players — even as I was learning, they were really good to me. And even when we weren’t great, they were all good and easy to coach and good guys to be around, and that helps a lot.”

Beilein didn’t seem particularly comfortable with the NBA grind, and he got into some hot water when he referred to his players as “thugs,” later saying he meant to use the word “slugs.” But after 27 years in the college game, the last 12 at Michigan, it seemed a difficult transition.

“It’s a different game,” said Stevens. “Like, we had practice No. 36 (Monday). You know, if we were in college, we’d be in the 80s. It’s just a different set-up, and it’s harder. The ups and downs happen so fast, and then you have the 82 games … it’s just different.

“Whenever I talk to anybody that’s interested in coming from college, I tell them the season will hit you square between the eyes in the middle of it. Like, right before the All-Star break, you’re all dead. And when you do it for the first time, it’s really tough.”

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/2PPxQIG