Jaylen Brown is sitting out Thursday for the the Boston Celtics against the Phoenix Suns.
Listed as doubtful on the team’s latest injury report entering game day, details about the wing’s left shoulder bursitis have been few and far between from coach Brad Stevens and president of basketball operations Danny Ainge. Brown was evaluated immediately Monday after a narrow loss to the Chicago Bulls, and seems to be touch-and-go.
“I gathered it was triggered in that game, But I don’t know the answer to that. He had not been talking about it before, at least not to me,” Stevens said Thursday in his pregame media availability when asked if this was a chronic ailment or one triggered by something against the Bulls.
“He’s likely out, he’s going to come to the gym and see how it feels, but you know he went through stuff today and I would say he’s likely out.”
Beyond that, Jayson Tatum (left ankle impingement) and Kemba Walker (illness, non-COVID) have been upgraded to available. Stevens also provided updates on Robert Williams, who has had some left knee soreness, and Evan Fournier, who is getting back into game-shape after a bout in the NBA’s health and safety protocols.
Both are out against Phoenix.
“Rob went through a pretty good amount of work (Wednesday) in the hopes that he might be able to practice and play today,” Stevens said. “Wasn’t able to do it. Same thing this morning, wasn’t able to do it. So, you know, he’s still listed as day-to-day but hasn’t hasn’t shown enough progress to be ready to play. And then I think Evan will probably play sometime this weekend. I don’t know if it’ll be cleared to play by tomorrow night, but I would be hopeful that by Sunday he would be available.”
The Celtics and Suns tip off at 7 p.m. ET.
