BOSTON -- Celtics star Jaylen Brown plans to play in Sunday's Game 1 against the Milwaukee Bucks as he battles a right hamstring injury.
Brown aggravated the injury Monday in his team's close-out Game 4 victory over the Brooklyn Nets and needed the time off and treatment between series to be able to play. Both Celtics coach Ime Udoka and president Brad Stevens said this week there was some concern the injury would affect Brown during their Eastern Conference semifinal series.
"It was essential to have a couple days off, so credit to us taking care of business so we can have that," Brown said after going through practice Saturday morning. "I did some tests this week, got some treatment, should be ready to roll."
Brown has been battling the issue during the season. He first suffered the injury in November, a Grade 1 strain, and missed eight games. But when he came back in December, he labored for five games before shutting down again for five more games to give the hamstring rest.
This time the injury isn't as severe, but it is a factor as the high-stakes series begins.
"Anytime you're dealing with a lingering injury, you want to be precautious and careful. But I think I'm OK," Brown said. "This one is on the lower end of the spectrum, so I'll be fine."
