Celtics star Jaylen Brown has a surprising explanation for his playoff inconsistency

The Boston Celtics had a promising regular season. However, they disappointed in the playoffs after losing to the New York Knicks. Joe Mazzulla’s team failed to show progress as a unit, and that lack of growth hurt them. The Knicks, in contrast, played with strong chemistry and outperformed Boston when it mattered most. Additionally, Jaylen Brown drew criticism for his inconsistency throughout the series. Now, a possible reason has emerged that could explain his performance.

Jaylen Brown has been battling a partially torn right meniscus throughout the playoffs, according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne. The injury has affected him for the past month, and he is expected to undergo evaluation this week to determine whether surgery is necessary. Brown confirmed the news after the Celtics’ loss to the New York Knicks, stating, “…I finished the year, persevering through some physical stuff that I was battling through.”

These reports help clarify the inconsistency he showed during the postseason. Even though he could have sat out to recover from his injury, he chose to stay on the court and support his team. Despite not being at full strength, he posted good numbers averaging 21.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 5 assists over six games. In Jayson Tatum’s absence due to a serious injury, he delivered solid performances becoming one of the team’s top performers.

Despite playing with an injury for much of the playoffs, Jaylen made no excuses and was self-critical. “I don’t make excuses…Obviously, it’s tough the way we went out like tonight, but the way we finished the year...I’m proud of our group,” affirmed Brown after the game. With both stars facing injuries, the Boston Celtics face an uncertain offseason where roster changes could be coming.

Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics dribbles the ball during a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on February 02, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Despite dealing with injuries, the Celtics still want to keep their All-Star duo of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. However, this does not mean the roster will remain without changes. According to NBA insiders, the front office may decide to part ways with Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday.

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The Boston Celtics must approach the offseason strategically to remain competitive. Their future depends on smart roster moves. If they manage to bring in strong role players, Joe Mazzulla could lead another title push. However, they will likely need to reduce payroll to stay financially balanced and avoid NBA fines. Because of that, the front office faces its toughest challenge: improving the roster while keeping the team in championship contention.