For the first time this season, the Celtics will be without Jaylen Brown on Saturday night as they look to sweep a back-to-back against the Hornets.
Brown is dealing with a left hip flexor stain and will not play against Charlotte, the team announced.
The NBA Finals MVP is averaging 25.7 points and 7.2 rebounds per game this season. He played 37 minutes in Friday’s 124-109 win, finishing with 25 points, six rebounds and five assists.
Brown has scored at least 24 points in every game this season despite going just 1-for-21 on 3-point shots over the last three contests. The Hornets had trouble handling his physicality on drives to the rim.
After Friday’s win, Brown publicly criticized Hornets forward Grant Williams for his hard foul on Jayson Tatum. Williams, an ex-Celtic, was called for a Flagrant 2 foul and ejected.
Celtics center Al Horford is available to play Saturday, per the team, after sitting out Friday night for load management reasons.
