Boston Celtics Clear Jaylen Brown for Round 1

The Boston Celtics have put their fans at ease. Speaking with the media on Tuesday, head coach Joe Mazzulla said he expects Jaylen Brown to play without restrictions in Game 1 of the first round despite missing three of the last four games of the regular season due to a hand injury.

Jaylen Brown didn’t practice today but won’t have any restrictions heading into Game 1 of the first round, per Joe Mazzulla. Mazzulla said that Marcus Smart (neck) felt good, did live action at practice and will also be ready to go for the first round.

— Jay King (@ByJayKing) April 11, 2023

Brown has been stellar for the Celtics this season, averaging 26.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game with a .581 true shooting percentage. His exceptional play has sparked rumors of an eventual trade away from the Celtics. He has two years remaining on a four-year, $106.3 million extension signed in 2019, but concerns that playing second fiddle to Jayson Tatum will diminish his value may expedite his exit.

Now that Brown's status is clear, the Celtics should be significant favorites over whoever they end up facing in round one. The Celtic led the NBA with a +6.52 point differential, and they're one of the more seasoned teams in the Eastern Conference: they made the Finals last year and have made the Conference Finals in four of the past six seasons.

The Celtics will face either the Atlanta Hawks or the Miami Heat Saturday in their first game of round one. 
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