The Boston Celtics are preparing to play their last game before the All-Star Break and Celtics wing Jaylen Brown has long let it be known that, despite recent injuries to his ankles and calf, he wants to tough it out and play against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Per the Celtics, Brown will be a gametime decision against the Clippers after working out during the shootaround; the fourth-year pro will test out his calf prior to tip-off at 8 p.m (ET). Having a career season, Brown’s availability may be all but necessary for Boston to take down the Clippers, a team stacked with talent.
#NEBHInjuryReport Jaylen Brown worked out during this morning’s shootaround and will test his calf again before tonight’s game to determine his availability.
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) February 13, 2020
Aside from Brown, there have also been updates on the injury status of second-year center Robert Williams III.
The “Time Lord” is expected to work out with the Celtics for their first post-All Star Break practice, which will be next Wednesday (per NBC Sports Boston’s Chris Forsberg).
“Then they’ll just build him up for the next 10 days,” says Celtics head coach Brad Stevens, “and hopefully give him the green light after that.”
Brad Stevens details the plan for Robert Williams 📝👇
"If we can get him back into this fold and get him in that kind of rotating spot with those other guys, that helps our team a lot.”
Danny Ainge says team is really encouraged by what they’ve seen from Williams so far. pic.twitter.com/JFx6O1CmFW
— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) February 13, 2020
Earlier in the day, team president and general manager Danny Ainge said that the team expects Williams back around March 1.
Danny Ainge says on @Toucherandrich the Celtics are still shooting for a ~March 1 return for Robert Williams: "He looks. He's excited and enthusiastic. He's moving in the right direction."
— Boston.com Celtics News (@BDCCeltics) February 13, 2020
“He’s excited and enthusiastic. He’s moving in the right direction.”
Williams had been diagnosed with a bone edema, a buildup of fluid around a bone that can occur as the result of a stress fracture or arthritis, in his left hip on December 16.