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Earlier than the season, Jaylen Brown stated that he needed to make the All-Defensive First Group. Up to now, he’s lived as much as his phrase.
Protection seems to be totally different for Brown each night time. One recreation, he’ll be guarding Damian Lillard. The following, he’ll be taking up Anthony Edwards. However on Saturday night time, he stood toe-to-toe with Zion Williamson.
The New Orleans Pelicans are combating for home-court benefit within the playoffs, and Williamson has performed a career-high 63 video games already. The 6-foot-6, 284-pound ahead is an absolute freight practice, and Brown was tasked with standing in his manner.
“Totally different technique than normal, however regardless of the group wants,” Brown stated. “I really feel like that’s one thing that my group depends on me to do now. So, I’ll take you with the glory and duty. That was my matchup, and I needed to guarantee that we made it powerful on him. And I feel we did.”
Williamson had his manner within the first quarter, however after that, the Boston Celtics placed on a defensive Grasp Class. Led by Brown’s protection on the large man, they held Williamson to 4-of-11 capturing within the latter three quarters after a monster 12-point first body on 5-of-6 from the sector.
Because the Celtics put together for the playoffs, Brown is having fun with the ins and outs of each defensive matchup he takes on.
“I feel the distinction this yr is the satisfaction that he takes in guarding whoever he wants to protect relying upon what’s greatest for that exact recreation,” stated Joe Mazzulla. “Whether or not it’s guarding a guard and chasing over in pick-and-roll, selecting them up full-court, or guarding a man like Zion [who] he has to get excessive pick-up factors on.”
He is aware of his worth goes far past the numbers.
“I feel he’s understanding that he can have a loopy affect on the sport in some ways with out scoring, and he’s taken satisfaction in that,” Mazzulla stated. “And I feel his defensive possession has been massive for us.”
Brown was bodying Williamson, assembly him earlier than he may get to the three-point line, and standing him up on drives. He met physicality with physicality.
Paired with some stunning assist protection from Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, and the remainder of the Celtics, Brown was an enormous motive why Williamson’s dominance was quelled.
Even when he fouled Williamson, he despatched a message.
“In that second, I used to be simply letting him [and] everyone else within the fitness center know [that] I’m not going nowhere,” Brown stated of his post-foul dialog with Williamson. “I’m robust sufficient to face my floor.”
Although Brown’s matchup with Williamson assuredly took its toll, his post-game issues took the form of some freak on-court incidents.
Early within the first, Brown slipped on what gave the impression to be a moist spot within the nook of the courtroom. He went down, stayed down, and grasped his knee.
Brown stayed within the recreation, and regardless of the eerie sight on the time, he isn’t too anxious about that problem.
“I feel I slipped,” Brown stated post-game. “I hit it on the bottom. Court docket was slightly slick on the market tonight. However I feel I’ll be alright.”
Nevertheless, he’ll find yourself having to get one other state of affairs checked out.
Whereas on a quick break halfway by the second, Brown slipped once more, this time injuring his wrist whereas attempting to interrupt his fall.
“I’m gonna get that checked out after we get again to Boston,” Brown stated. “However it’s been bothering me for slightly bit now.”
Brown has had wrist issues previously, most notably the surgical procedure in 2021 that price him the latter portion of the season.
On an evening stuffed with big-bodied pushing and shoving with Williamson, a glossy courtroom introduced Brown essentially the most hassle.
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