Jaylen Brown. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON (WBZ-AM) -- The Celtics will try for a 2-nothing conference semifinals series lead on the Sixers when those clubs tip-off tonight at 8:30 at the Garden, but the C's may be missing Jaylen Brown again.
Brown averaged 18 points per game in a first-round triumph of the Bucks, but he exited a Game 7 win early with a hamstring strain, missed the opener with the Sixers, and is doubtful for Game 2.
He's been vocal about wanting to play, so coach Brad Stevens explained why he isn't rushing anything.
"The bottom line is, with this hamstring injury, it's not terrible, it's not a long-term thing, it shouldn't linger if he comes back at the right time," Stevens said. "But you could make it worse if you don't come back at the right time, if you have to guard J.J. Redick and Marco Bellinelli. He's going to have to do that, so this is a great test to know when you're gonna be back or not. Because it's not just about running, it's about running full speed all around the court."
Kyrie Irving Says He's In "Good Place" In Recovery From Knee Surgery
Marcus Smart started in Brown's place and the C's took Game 1 by 16 points. They were dominant, especially defensively on the perimeter. Sixers went 5-for-26 from 3-point range.
Terry Rozier, Jayson Tatum, and Al Horford combined for 83 points.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Adam Kaufman reports