Celtics’ Jaylen Brown Faces Injury Amid Strong Play

TORONTO — Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics suffered a left quadriceps bone bruise during Tuesday night’s game against the Toronto Raptors, forcing him to leave the court with 3:19 remaining in the fourth quarter. Despite dealing with injuries throughout the game, Brown led the Celtics with 24 points, scoring the team’s first four baskets in the fourth quarter.

The injury occurred when Brown took a knee to the leg in the first half and then sustained further damage early in the third quarter. He was replaced by rookie Juhann Begarin with 8:05 left in the third period, spending the remainder of the quarter trying to stretch and regain mobility.

After the game, Brown expressed uncertainty about his availability for Wednesday’s matchup against the Detroit Pistons, stating, “I have to see how I feel and get some treatment when we get to Detroit.” His determination to play through pain echoed the mentality instilled in him by his favorite player, Kobe Bryant.

“It’s all mental,” Brown told the Boston Globe. “Sometimes getting injured in the regular season is a good thing because it teaches you how to mentally play the game or adjust. In the postseason, if you’re injured, there’s no excuse. People don’t care. They don’t want to hear that. It’s either you win or you lose.”

Brown’s grit continued to inspire his teammates, according to Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla. “Jaylen’s leadership on the court is invaluable, especially when he’s battling through adversity. He’s always pushing through for the team,” Mazzulla said.

Meanwhile, in high school hockey, Brody Kabilian of No. 12 Archbishop Williams made a memorable return to the ice, scoring a hat trick in a decisive 6-1 victory over No. 21 Needham in the Division 1 tournament. Kabilian, who had previously faced setbacks from an ankle injury and a wrist fracture, showcased his resilience by contributing significantly to the team’s success.

“The rehab is tough,” Kabilian said. “It just builds your hunger and you want it more. You go out there and show you can do it.” His performance energized the team, marking a contrast to last season’s first-round upset.

Archbishop Williams coach Chris Cunningham praised Kabilian’s influence on the team. “He was our No. 1 fan all year. Just to have him back perform like that, the bench went crazy,” Cunningham stated.

Looking ahead, the MIAA boys’ basketball state tournament is set to begin preliminary games on Monday, featuring top contenders and a range of promising matchups. Notable favorites include No. 1 Franklin and No. 3 Newton North, both boasting strong records this season.

With teams eager to secure their spots in the state finals at Lowell’s Tsongas Center, the tournament is shaping up to be a compelling series of games filled with excitement and competitive spirit.