Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown continues to gain steam in MVP race.
The Boston Celtics lost 112-102 to the Atlanta Hawks on Monday night at State Farm Arena. Jaylen Brown returned to the lineup after sitting out Sunday’s win over the Charlotte Hornets with left Achilles tendinitis. He finished the game with 29 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists, falling one assist short of a triple-double.
Boston was shorthanded again. Jayson Tatum sat out the second night of the back-to-back for Achilles repair management. Neemias Queta missed the game with a right thumb strain. Nikola Vucevic remained out with a fractured finger. Ron Harper Jr. suffered a right ankle sprain against Charlotte on Sunday.
After the game, Brown provided an update on his Achilles as the Celtics head into the final stretch of the regular season.
Brown Addresses Injury Status
Noa Dalzell asked Brown whether the Achilles is something that concerns him after Monday’s loss. His response was measured but clear.
“Nah, everybody’s dealing with something… just some soreness,” Brown said. “Definitely want to make sure you stay healthy as much as possible and you don’t want to risk anything, but it’ll be fine going forward.”
Brown is putting the fears of Celtics fans to bed for now.
Seven regular season games remain before the playoffs begin. Brown has carried this team all season, averaging 28.6 points per game. Boston has a good record this season without him, but a deep playoff run requires Brown at full strength.
Managing his workload down the stretch will be something Joe Mazzulla monitors closely.
Asked Jaylen Brown if the Achilles injury is something he’s concerned about:
“Nah, everybody’s dealing with something — just some soreness. Definitely want to make sure you stay healthy as much as possible & you don’t want to risk anything, but it’ll be fine going forward.”
Brown’s Night in Atlanta
The Achilles tendinitis did not stop Brown from competing.
Brown finished 9-of-29 from the field and 3-of-9 from three. Dyson Daniels stayed attached to Brown all night long, making every look difficult from the opening quarter onward. It was a tough shooting night by Brown’s standards, but he still finished with 29.
Nine assists showed Brown controlling the offense even when his shot was off. Ten rebounds reflected his effort on the glass.
Brown found his rhythm late. A powerful dunk in the fourth quarter ignited a run that cut the deficit down. He followed it with back-to-back three-pointers that briefly made the game interesting. But the burst came too late to change the outcome.
GettyATLANTA, GEORGIA – MARCH 30: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics shoots over Jalen Johnson #1 of the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at State Farm Arena on March 30, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
A Tough Night for the Celtics in Atlanta
The game was tied at 54 heading into halftime. Atlanta took control in the third quarter, outscoring Boston 36-22 to build a lead that held for the rest of the night.
Luka Garza was a bright spot for the Celtics. He scored 20 points on 8-of-9 shooting with 9 rebounds, filling in capably with Queta and Vucevic both unavailable. Payton Pritchard added 16 points off the bench.
Jalen Johnson led the way for the Hawks with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Daniels added 18 of his own. The Hawks got one back at home after falling to the Celtics in Boston. They remain one of the hottest teams in the NBA, 6th in the East at 43-33.
Boston drops to 50-25 but remains two games ahead of the New York Knicks for the second seed in the Eastern Conference.
GettyATLANTA, GEORGIA – MARCH 30: Luka Garza #52 of the Boston Celtics lays up a shot against Nickeil Alexander-Walker #7 of the Atlanta Hawks in the first half at State Farm Arena on March 30, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
Final Word for the Celtics
Brown says the Achilles is fine. Monday night suggested he is probably right.
He played through the soreness, competed all night, and nearly recorded a triple-double against a tough Atlanta team.
Seven games remain. Boston heads to Miami on Wednesday to face the Heat. The regular season is winding down and the Celtics are locked into the playoffs. Brown’s health matters more than any single result between now and then.
He says it will be fine going forward.
Keith Watkins Keith Watkins is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers. He previously wrote for FanSided, NBA Analysis Network, and Last Word On Sports. Keith is based in Bangkok, Thailand. More about Keith Watkins
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