The Celtics general manager expressed optimism regarding Brown’s partial meniscus tear — and noted that he has faith that the 2024 Finals MVP can lead the Celtics in Jayson Tatum’s absence.
BOSTON — Jaylen Brown had an up-and-down postseason. There were the highs: a 36-point explosion with Jayson Tatum sidelined in Game 2 against the Orlando Magic, a 26-point, 12-assist outing to keep the Celtics alive in Game 5 against the New York Knicks.
And, there were the lows: 7 turnovers in the Celtics’ final game, a blowout loss at Madison Square Garden, and 35% shooting across the Celtics’ first two losses, in which the Celtics lost consecutive 20-point second-half leads.
Through it all, it was evident that Brown was playing through knee pain — pain that the Celtics initially termed a right knee impingement but was later reported to be a partial meniscus tear by ESPN’s Ramona Shelbourne. Per the report, Brown is being evaluated this week to determine whether surgery is needed.
On Monday, Stevens addressed the media for the first time since the Celtics’ elimination and offered some positive insight into Brown’s situation.
“The knee is in a good place, structurally,” Stevens said. “So I think he felt comfortable getting out there and going after it, and, hopefully, he’ll feel better after being off of it for a couple of weeks here.”
And, while the Celtics’ general manager didn’t explicitly say that surgery was off the table, he did share that the partially torn meniscus was not new information.
“That’s been something that he’s had for a while, and it’s been stable, and he’s played with it,” Brown said. “That’s been several scans through and through. We’ve known that for a long time, and he’s known that for a long time.”
Brown didn’t miss any postseason games, though he was on the injury report for the Celtics’ final three games against the Magic. He also missed 11 games with the injury in the second half of the season.
And, before the series against the Knicks, Brown said he felt he was turning the corner toward 100%. Stevens implied that those comments weren’t just gamesmanship.
“You guys all watched it in the last couple of weeks,” Stevens said. “I thought it got better and better and better. I think he actually felt better, or, at least, he told me he felt better at the end of the Knicks series.”
Stevens attributed Brown’s desire to play through the injury to his warrior mindset, something Brown and his teammates have spoken to plenty of times throughout the year.
“Jaylen wants to play,” Stevens said. “Jaylen is a competitor. Jaylen is a warrior. Jaylen takes great pride in being out there.”
What the Celtics expect from Jaylen Brown next season
With Jayson Tatum expected to be sidelined with an Achilles rupture most — if not all — of next season, it’s likely that Brown will have to take on a bigger role on both ends of the floor.
This season, the Celtics were 8-2 without Tatum in the regular season, and 2-1 in the playoffs. In those games, Brown has averaged 24.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 6.7 assists.
Asked Brad Stevens about his confidence level in Jaylen Brown leading the team next year without Jayson Tatum:
“I have full faith in Jaylen.” pic.twitter.com/TPXLrbLAHo
— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) May 19, 2025
Stevens made clear that his confidence in Brown’s ability to help lead the team without his co-star.
“I have full faith that, any game that you have those guys on the court, or one of those guys on the court, you have a great shot,” Stevens said. “And so, I have full faith in Jaylen.”