Jaylen Brown Cleared to Play as Celtics Face Pelicans

The Boston Celtics received welcome news ahead of their Monday night matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans: Finals MVP Jaylen Brown has been cleared to play despite dealing with a lingering hamstring issue that has plagued him throughout the early season.

Brown, who had been listed as questionable on the league's injury report with a left hamstring strain, was upgraded to available status just hours before the 8 p.m. ET tipoff at the Smoothie King Center. The decision comes as a relief for a Celtics team desperately searching for its first win of the 2025-26 season.

Brown Playing Through Persistent Injury

The 2024 Finals MVP has been managing his left hamstring strain since the beginning of the season, though the injury hasn't forced him to miss any games yet. According to Noa Dalzell of CelticsBlog, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla had indicated earlier that Brown would be a game-time decision, leaving the team's medical staff to monitor his condition up until game time.

Despite the persistent injury concern, the 29-year-old guard has delivered impressive performances on the court. Through the Celtics' first three games—all losses—Brown has averaged 29.7 points per game on exceptional shooting splits of .492/.500/.760, along with 5.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists.

Career Night Against Detroit

Brown's most dominant performance came just Sunday night in a hard-fought 119-113 loss to the Detroit Pistons. The 6-foot-6 University of California at Berkeley product erupted for 41 points on 12-of-25 shooting from the field, including 5-of-9 from three-point range and a near-perfect 12-of-15 from the free-throw line. He also contributed six rebounds and four assists in the losing effort.

However, Brown's stellar offensive output has been accompanied by turnover issues, as he's averaging 4.3 giveaways per game—a concerning trend that coach Mazzulla will need to address as the season progresses.

Celtics Searching for First Win

Boston's 0-3 start represents an unexpected stumble for the defending champions, who entered the season with championship expectations. Following losses to the Philadelphia 76ers (117-116), the New York Knicks (105-95), and the Detroit Pistons (119-113), the pressure is mounting on the team to find its rhythm.

The timing couldn't be better for the Celtics to face a shorthanded Pelicans squad. Coach Mazzulla didn't mince words after the loss to Detroit, calling out his team's overall performance and demanding better execution on both ends of the floor.

Pelicans Dealing with Significant Injuries

While Boston gets Brown back at full strength, New Orleans will be without several key contributors. Most notably, two-time All-Star power forward Zion Williamson will miss the game due to a left bone contusion. The 6-foot-6 former Duke standout, who has battled injuries throughout his NBA career, had been listed as questionable before being ruled out.

The Pelicans' injury woes don't end there. Veteran center Kevon Looney is sidelined with a left knee sprain, while All-Star guard Dejounte Murray continues his recovery from a right Achilles tear. The absences leave New Orleans significantly undermanned against a talented Celtics roster looking to break through for its first victory.

Tatum's Absence Looms Large

Beyond the immediate injury concerns, Boston faces a more serious long-term challenge. Six-time All-Star power forward Jayson Tatum is expected to miss most—or potentially all—of the 2025-26 season while recovering from an Achilles tendon tear. The loss of Tatum places additional pressure on Brown to elevate his game and carry the offensive load throughout the season.

The silver lining for the Celtics is that the rest of their injury report remains relatively clean. The team has assigned rookie two-way player Max Shulga to their G League affiliate, the Maine Celtics, to gain valuable on-court experience and development opportunities.

Critical Early-Season Test

Monday's matchup against New Orleans represents more than just an opportunity to notch the first win of the season. It's a chance for the Celtics to build momentum and establish confidence during what promises to be a challenging campaign without Tatum for the foreseeable future.

Brown's decision to play through his hamstring issue demonstrates his commitment to helping the team navigate these early-season challenges. His ability to stay on the court while managing the injury will be crucial to Boston's success, particularly as the team adjusts to life without its other superstar.

Looking Ahead

The Celtics face a quick turnaround with this game representing the second half of an early back-to-back schedule. Managing Brown's minutes and ensuring his hamstring strain doesn't worsen will be a delicate balancing act for the coaching staff.

As the season progresses, Boston will need to find contributions from throughout its roster to compensate for Tatum's absence. Role players will need to step up, and Brown's leadership—both on and off the court—will be essential in maintaining the team's competitive edge.

The Road Forward

While an 0-3 start is far from ideal for a team with championship aspirations, the Celtics have the talent and experience to right the ship. Brown's availability against a depleted Pelicans squad provides the perfect opportunity to build positive momentum and secure that elusive first victory.

The combination of Brown's offensive firepower, New Orleans' injury situation, and the Celtics' desperate need for a win sets the stage for what should be a competitive matchup in the Big Easy. For Boston, anything less than a victory would raise serious questions about the team's ability to contend in a highly competitive Eastern Conference.

As the Celtics take the floor Monday night, all eyes will be on Brown to deliver another strong performance—this time hopefully resulting in a win. The season is still young, but every game matters, and Boston needs to start stacking victories before the early deficit becomes too large to overcome.