BOSTON — The Celtics introduced their damage report forward of Recreation 1 between the Celtics and the Knicks, and it’s a clear slate forward of the second spherical of the playoffs. Jrue Vacation, who missed the ultimate three video games of the primary spherical of the playoffs towards the Magic, is off the damage report, as is Jaylen Brown, who was questionable for the ultimate three video games towards Orlando with a proper knee impingement.
Saturday’s apply yielded constructive damage information on all fronts; Joe Mazzulla mentioned that Vacation was capable of undergo all the things the Celtics did at apply, whereas Jaylen Brown gave his most encouraging knee replace in weeks.
“I believe I’m beginning to flip the curve,” Brown mentioned. “Structurally, all the things is ok. I’ve had another stuff occurring, however I believe I’m form of trending in the suitable path.”
Jaylen Brown with a constructive damage replace, says he thinks he’s trending towards 100%:
“I believe I’m beginning to flip the curve. Structurally, all the things is ok. I’ve had another stuff occurring, however I believe I’m trending in the suitable path.”
(Q: @RealBobManning) pic.twitter.com/DCFDckmVsd
— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) Might 3, 2025
Since mid-February, Brown missed 12 video games with a proper knee impingement. He famous he was in some ache within the first half of Recreation 5, however felt higher within the second.
Regardless of the up-and-down nature of his knee damage, he was nonetheless impactful within the first spherical, averaging 23 factors per sport and taking pictures 49.4% from the sphere.
Jrue Vacation makes his return after a three-game absence
Vacation was massively impactful within the Celtics’ first two video games of the playoff, posting 9 factors, 5 assists, and three steals within the Recreation 1, and serving to change the tide of the sport defensively.
Magic head coach Jamahl Mosely famous that game-planning towards the Celtics with out Vacation was “majorly totally different” although he famous that Payton Pritchard had stepped into that rule.
Al Horford famous that Vacation’s absence is big for the Celtics.
“What Jrue does for us — it’s elite,” Horford mentioned. “The impression that he has on our group, you may’t measure it.”
Requested Al Horford about Payton Pritchard stepping up defensively in Jrue Vacation’s absence:
“What Jrue does for us — it is elite. The impression that he has on our group, you may’t measure it.”
“ I felt like Payton all sequence, his ball strain, his impression was noticeable.” pic.twitter.com/yvocD68fiI
— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) April 30, 2025
Vacation’s return is especially welcome information forward of the match-up towards the Knicks as a result of he’ll possible get at the very least among the project of limiting Knicks star Jalen Brunson. Brunson led the Knicks within the first spherical, averaging 31.5 factors and eight.2 assists per sport. Through the season, the Celtics used Vacation as one in every of Brunson’s main defenders, and can possible proceed to take action within the first spherical.
