Gash on Right Hand Doesn't Slow Celtics' Jaylen Brown in Game 1

The former Cal standout participated in Monday practice, and Boston coach says no new stitches were needed

The gash on the right hand of former Cal star Jaylen Brown was a concern entering the Celtics’ playoff opener against the Atlanta Hawks. And it remained a concern after he split the wound open during Saturday’s Game 1.

The one thing the injury did not affect was Brown’s performance, who had a game-high 29 points and a game-high 12 rebounds in Boston’s 112-99 victory.

Brown has been cleared to play in Tuesday's Game 2 and participated in practice Monday. Apparently he did not need any addition stitches as a result of Saturday's incident in which the cut reopened.

When Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla was asked on Monday whether Brown needed new stitches on his hand, Mazzulla said, “No, I don’t think so.”  The coach also confirmed there were no restrictions on Brown in Monday's practice.

Joe Mazzulla says "no restrictions" for Jaylen Brown at practice today 🙌 pic.twitter.com/fiVs9ecgKn

— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) April 17, 2023

Brown set the tone at the outset of Saturday's gsmr with a steal and bucket to open the game.

Now the question is whether the injury will affect Brown the rest of the postseason.

Brown cut his hand nine days earlier on a broken vase. It required five stitches that were removed Thursday, which was the first time Brown practiced since sustaining the cut. He missed the final two regular-season games because of the gash.

And the discomfort he had anticipated was increased when the cut between his index and middle fingers on his right hand was opened again during Saturday’s game.

"Split open during the game," Brown said after Saturday's game, "but it's fine now."

His hand was re-examined Sunday, when it was determined whether more stitches would be required.

"I think it's going to be all right," Brown said.

If you look closely in the photo below, you can see the wrap on Brown's right index finger

Photo by Eric Canha, USA TODAY Sports

Despite the presumed pain, Brown played 37 minutes and was a factor at both ends of the court.

He also committed six turnovers, which might be attributed to his difficulty controlling the ball with his right hand.

"It's a constant adjustment, making sure I have a good grip on the ball," Brown said Saturday. "I definitely got to clean that up."

Brown had said last Thursday that determining the proper bandaging and padding would be an ongoing process. He adjusted the padding after virtually every shot attempt in the first quarter on Saturday, and he went to the locker room to have the bandage adjusted about eight minutes into the game.

"There's not a lot of padding on it, so it's just a different feel shooting the ball," Brown said. "[The pain] is fine. Especially with the adrenaline of the game, you kind of just get going."

So now Brown is playing with a bandage on his right hand as well as a mask he has worn since suffering a facial fracture in February.

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.Cover photo of Jaylen Brown is by Eric Canha, USA TODAY Sports

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