Jaylen Brown misses second straight Celtics game; Derrick White also out against Hornets

The Celtics have discovered video games to offer Brown a relaxation. Friday’s win over Atlanta was thought-about a break for the stretch run, however lacking one other recreation provides credence to the harm.

“He got a little bit better [Saturday] and he got a little bit better today,” Mazzulla said. “We’ll see how he feels [Monday]but we’re still operating on seeing he gets better every day.”

Starting Monday in Atlantathe Celtics ended the common season with eight video games in 13 days, together with a home-road again to again April 9-10. Chasing the second seed is a precedence, however so is relaxation for the veterans, who’ve performed 65-plus video games in preparation for the postseason.

“That’s where the conversations with the front office or the sports science team, what’s best for the player, what’s best for our team,” Mazzulla mentioned. ”That’s the place you come collectively and belief [those groups].”

White missed simply his fourth recreation this season. It’s unsure when he sustained his knee harm.

With Brown and White out, Jordan Walsh bought his first begin since Jan. 1; I hit simply certainly one of seven pictures in 34 minutes. Payton Pritchard scored 28 factors, on 10-for-18 capturing, in his second begin since Feb. 2, and Queta scored 17.

The Celtics bought higher information on middle Nikola Vucevicwho fractured his right ring finger on March 6 against the Mavericks. Vucevic was strolling round shootaround and in pregame and not using a brace that had been there to guard the harm. He said on March 20 that he can be examined Saturday to find out the following plan of action, and hoped to return earlier than the common season.

Charlotte, coming off a troublesome last-minute loss to the 76ers on Saturday, was lacking former Celtic Grant Williams. He doesn’t play in back-to-backs after he missed most of final season with a torn ACL.

The Hornets have been probably the most nice surprises within the NBA, with 23 wins of their previous 31 video games and warranted at the least a play-in spot. They are three games behind Atlanta for the sixth seed and avoiding the play-in event.

Brandon Miller, LaMelo Balland rookie Kon Knueppel are amongst those that have delivered large seasons, whereas middle Moussa Diabate you could have been a staunch defender and rebounder.

“Just the continued consistency with our process and with our habits,” Charlotte coach Charles Lee he mentioned. “I thought it started in the offseason with this team. I saw an elevated commitment to just every day, not just showing up on game days, but the importance of the preparation and falling in love with the preparation and falling in love with the journey and embracing everything that comes with it.

“And I feel that our guys have achieved that even within the face of adversity, as an alternative of sulking or ‘woe is me’, or ‘oh, right here we go once more.’ I feel that our guys have sort of hunkered down much more individually, however then also collectively. They’ve sort of rallied one another and elevated each other to assist them get by way of opposed moments. So it has been actually cool to see now all of the fruits of the labor.”

G-League Maine reached the playoffs because the No. 7 seed and can face Greensboro within the single-elimination first spherical on Tuesday.

Gary Washburn is a Globe columnist. He could be reached at gary.washburn@globe.com. comply with him @GwashburnGlobe.