After a four-game absence due to a left hip flexor strain, Jaylen Brown is ready to return to the court for the Boston Celtics in Sunday’s high-stakes matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks. The Celtics have been without their star swingman for a stretch, but they’re getting closer to full strength as Brown is expected to play without any minutes restriction, according to Jay King of The Athletic.
“Jaylen Brown will have no minutes restriction,” King reported on X (formerly Twitter), signaling the team’s confidence in his recovery and their readiness to welcome him back into the fold.
Brown’s Impact Before Injury
Brown’s return comes at a crucial time. Through the first six games of the season, he was putting up nearly 26 points and 7 rebounds per game, solidifying his place as one of the Celtics’ most important players. While his shooting has been a bit inefficient to start the season, that is expected to stabilize as the year progresses. In Brown’s absence, the Celtics went 3-1, with their only loss coming in a heartbreaking defeat to the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday. Wins over the Brooklyn Nets, Atlanta Hawks, and Charlotte Hornets helped the team stay near the top of the Eastern Conference, and Brown’s return will only make them more dangerous.
Celtics Still Rolling Despite Injury Challenges
Despite managing Brown’s injury and playing without offseason acquisition Kristaps Porzingis for part of the season, the Celtics have been firing on all cylinders. At 8-2, they sit comfortably in second place in the Eastern Conference, just three games behind the Cleveland Cavaliers, who have jumped out to a surprising 11-0 start. With the rest of the East trailing, the Celtics are positioning themselves as clear title contenders.
The return of Brown gives the team even more reason to feel confident. Boston’s offense has been potent, and adding Brown back into the mix — alongside Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, and a retooled supporting cast — should only make them that much more formidable.
Milwaukee Bucks Struggling Without Khris Middleton
On the other side of Sunday’s game are the struggling Milwaukee Bucks, who have been beset by injuries and have gotten off to a poor start this season. The Bucks are just 2-8, and the absence of Khris Middleton has left a significant hole in their lineup. They’ve been outscored by five points per game so far and have looked disjointed on both ends of the floor. Most recently, they suffered a tough 22-point loss to the New York Knicks.
While it’s still early in the season, the Bucks are at risk of digging themselves too deep of a hole — especially with Giannis Antetokounmpo carrying much of the load offensively and defensively. With Middleton’s return still uncertain, Milwaukee’s early struggles are becoming a growing concern.
A Key Opportunity for the Celtics
For the Celtics, having Jaylen Brown back in the lineup against a team like the Bucks presents a golden opportunity to further distance themselves from a potential rival in the East. The Celtics have been dominant at times this season, and adding Brown back to the mix gives them another weapon to throw at teams that are already struggling to contain their offensive firepower.
In what should be an exciting matchup, the Celtics will look to capitalize on a Bucks team that has yet to find its footing, while Brown will aim to continue his early-season form and help the team push even further ahead in the standings. If the Celtics continue to stay healthy and perform at this level, they’ll be one of the most dangerous teams in the NBA for the rest of the season.
As for Jaylen Brown, his return is just the beginning — the Celtics are ready to take the next step toward championship contention.
