BOSTON -- Celtics swingman Jaylen Brown will travel to Marietta, Georgia, to be at the funeral for his best friend Saturday morning and then attempt to rejoin the team as Boston visits the Pacers that night.
Brown's friend Trevin Steede died Nov. 15. Brown played the next day against the Warriors and scored a team-high 22 points in the Celtics' come-from-behind victory. After traveling on his own to Atlanta the next day to be with friends and family, Brown rejoined the team for its game against the Hawks and scored a career-high 27 points.
Brown hadn't spoken with reporters since after the Warriors game but talked Friday about his difficult week.
"I'm doing the best I can. I think basketball has been a great outlet for me, my family, my friend's family," Brown said. "Just doing the best we can, each and every day."
Brown said it was his "intention to make it" to Indiana on Saturday, but also noted that Celtics coach Brad Stevens has given him the OK to miss the game if he cannot make it from Georgia.
"I think Brad has been really great in this process," Brown said. "Not even just somebody to talk to, also just allowing you to deal with what's best, my family, and [Steede's] family, so everybody can deal with it. He's been great. We'll see how it goes, and hopefully I'll be able to make it [to Indiana]."
Brown, 21, said it was therapeutic to be around friends and family in Atlanta last week.
"It was everything, being around the family, being around my friends, it just made it a little bit easier for everybody," he said.
Brown detailed last week how he and Steede became fast friends when Brown transferred to Wheeler High School. A video of Brown and Steede became a bit of a viral sensation last month as Brown dominated his friend in a game of one-on-one at the Celtics' practice facility to demonstrate the difference between a pro and a casual hoopster.
Teammates have repeatedly expressed admiration for the way Brown has carried himself in the aftermath of his friend's death. Said Kyrie Irving after the win over the Hawks, "The physical presence of [Brown's] best friend is lost, but I know his energy still exists. [Brown is] playing with an unbelievable verve."
Brown said he hopes to start a foundation in Steede's name in order to help others.
"Try to help people, so maybe you could save the next kid," Brown said.
