Jaylen Brown in, Horford and Langford out vs. Hornets

Jaylen Brown has been upgraded to available for Monday’s game against the Charlotte Hornets despite starting the day as questionable. Having missed Sunday’s contest against the Houston Rockets due to left patella tendinopathy, Brown will be placed on a minutes restriction and will play “in the 30-minute range,” according to the Boston Celtics.

Brown had recently returned to basketball activity following a torn scapholunate ligament in his left wrist after missing the play-in game and first-round series against the Brooklyn Nets. Brown then contracted COVID and was forced to quarantine before starting game one and dropping a career-high 46 points in the Celtics double-overtime loss to the New York Knicks.

Al Horford is out for tonight’s game with a left adductor sprain. Horford has been a reliable presence on the floor since re-joining the Celtics during the summer and has impressed with his intensity and intelligent decisions on the floor. Against the Rockets, Horford finished the game with a double-double in points (17) and rebounds (10) as he helped the Celtics to their first win of the season.

Horford also contracted COVID during the preseason and also missed both playing and training time as he quarantined. Unlike Brown, Horford could not participate in the Knicks game due to health and safety protocols but has played the last two games for the Celtics, starting alongside Robert Williams in both of them.

Finally, Romeo Langford is still out for Monday’s game due to left calf tightness. Langford has been impressive since returning from a scapholunate ligament injury in his right wrist. In his two games thus far, Langford has averaged eight points and two rebounds in 19 minutes of play while continuing to impress on the defensive end. With Langford’s injury history, it’s likely the Celtics are being cautious in returning him to basketball duties.

The Celtics will face the Hornets on Monday at 7 PM EST.