Earlier than the season, Jaylen Brown stated that he needed to make the All-Defensive First Crew. Thus far, he’s lived as much as his phrase.
Protection appears to be like completely different for Brown each night time. One sport, he’ll be guarding Damian Lillard. The subsequent, he’ll be taking over 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 method.
“Completely different technique than normal, however regardless of the crew wants,” Brown stated. “I really feel like that’s one thing that my crew depends on me to do now. So, I’ll take you with the distinction and accountability. That was my matchup, and I needed to guarantee that we made it robust on him. And I feel we did.”
Williamson had his method within the first quarter, however after that, the Boston Celtics placed on a defensive Grasp Class. Led by Brown’s protection on the massive 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 sphere.
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 12 months is the pleasure that he takes in guarding whoever he wants to protect relying upon what’s greatest for that individual sport,” stated Joe Mazzulla. “Whether or not it’s guarding a guard and chasing over in pick-and-roll, choosing 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 impression on the sport in some ways with out scoring, and he’s taken pleasure in that,” Mazzulla stated. “And I feel his defensive possession has been huge 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 lovely assist protection from Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, and the remainder of the Celtics, Brown was an enormous purpose 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] all people else within the health club know [that] I’m not going nowhere,” Brown stated of his post-foul dialog with Williamson. “I’m sturdy sufficient to face my floor.”
Although Brown’s matchup with Williamson assuredly took its toll, his post-game considerations took the form of some freak on-court incidents.
Early within the first, Brown slipped on what appeared to be a moist spot within the nook of the court docket. He went down, stayed down, and grasped his knee.
Brown stayed within the sport, and regardless of the eerie sight on the time, he isn’t too nervous about that difficulty.
“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 making an attempt 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 smooth court docket introduced Brown essentially the most hassle.
