Just one day after pushing the Boston Celtics to a gritty 1-3 start with their first win of the 2025-26 NBA season, four-time All-Star small forward Jaylen Brown has been downgraded ahead of Wednesday’s clash with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
According to Noa Dalzell of CelticsBlog, Brown remains probable as he works back from a nagging left hamstring strain.
In four games played for the struggling Celtics, the 29-year-old is averaging 26.0 points on elite .500/.478/.742 shooting splits, plus 5.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists (though shadowed by 4.0 turnovers, highlighting his ongoing ball-handling concerns). Brown is firmly on pace for a fifth All-Star nod—if he stays healthy and Boston can claw its way to .500.
But health is the operative word. With six-time All-Star Jayson Tatum sidelined indefinitely due to a torn right Achilles, the Celtics have been gutted. Roster turnover and Tatum’s absence have effectively removed Boston from Eastern Conference contention, joining last year’s Finals runner-up Indiana Pacers on the sidelines.
Embed X: https://twitter.com/NoaDalzell/status/1983267926213046485
Stepping into the power vacuum: the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks, now the East’s clear frontrunners. The Orlando Magic and Atlanta Hawks are lurking, hoping to crash the party.
The Cavs enter at 3-1—Boston’s mirror inverse—without two-time All-Star point guard Darius Garland, who’s missed the entire season recovering from right toe surgery.
Per the latest injury report:
- OUT: Garland (toe), Sam Merrill (right hip contusion), Max Strus (left foot surgery)
- G League: Two-way forward Nae’Qwan Tomlin (with Cleveland Charge)
Boston’s two-way trio—Ron Harper Jr. (son of five-time Bulls champion Ron Harper Sr., brother of 2025 No. 2 pick Dylan Harper), rookie guard Max Shulga, and center Amari Williams—are all with the Maine Celtics.
With Brown’s status hanging in the balance and Tatum erased from the lineup, Wednesday’s showdown is a must-watch stress test for a Celtics team already on life support.