Jaylen Brown out vs. Suns

The Celtics have already ruled Jaylen Brown out against the Phoenix Suns tomorrow afternoon. On the injury report, he is listed with “left knee soreness.”

The designation appears to be precautionary at this point. Brown appeared to look a little gimpy after this steal and transition dunk in Sacramento on Wednesday night:

Brown would finish the game, but subsequently missed yesterday’s thrilling win against the Clippers.

The Celtics are currently on a five-game road trip. Friday’s win in Los Angeles marked their third game in four nights and resting Brown made sense considering February’s grueling schedule of sixteen games in twenty-seven days.

In this All-Star candidacy-level season, he’s played more minutes than any of his teammates at 661 total (Tatum is second at 569). And even though the league has shortened 2020-2021 to 72 from 82 games, the schedule is for more compact and unforgiving.

In regards to Daniel Theis departure on Friday night, head coach Brad Stevens said, “ this stretch is insane, so we have to be smart will all of these guys.” Boston has been cautious in their load management for Kemba Walker, will be in their approach to Marcus Smart who is out with a calf strain, and will again be careful with Brown who is in the first year of his 4-year, $106 million extension.

Also, per the injury report, after leaving last night’s game at halftime with his own knee soreness, Theis appears to be available tomorrow in Phoenix.