Jaylen Brown Reached Out to Former Celtics Teammate After His Injury

A right kneecap injury may sideline former Celtic for the rest of the season.

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Celtics reshaped their roster's core this offseason, parting with stalwarts Marcus Smart and Robert Williams to acquire Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday.

The early returns have been promising, as they were the NBA's last unbeaten team to start the season. And while they suffered their first loss on Monday, a 114-109 overtime defeat against the Minnesota Timberwolves, at 5-1, they have the third-best record in the league.

Boston also boasts the highest net rating in the Association at 14.1, is producing the second-most points per 100 possessions at 119.9, and ranks fourth in defensive rating at 105.8.

Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) dunks over Brooklyn Nets forward Dorian Finney-Smith (28).

As highlighted while examining what went wrong offensively against the Timberwolves, the top-rated defense in the NBA to start the season, the Celtics still have much work to do to strike the proper balance between spreading the floor for isolation attacks and utilizing more drive-and-kicks and better ball movement.

But this newly formed group will grow increasingly comfortable playing together. And with the playoffs in mind, it's encouraging to see their offense having an easier time generating points in the clutch, defined as the final five minutes of games within five points.

As for ex-comrades Smart and Williams, the former is on a Memphis Grizzlies team that's struggling without Ja Morant, who's serving a 25-game suspension to start the 2023-24 campaign. At 1-6, they have the worst record in the league.

Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III (35) shoots over Orlando Magic center Moritz Wagner (21).

Unfortunately, matters are more severe for the Time Lord. Williams, who underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his left knee before last season started, injured his right knee in a 112-100 loss to Smart and the Grizzlies.

According to Jared Weiss and Shams Charania of The Athletic, he's facing potential season-ending surgery to repair bone and ligament damage due to a right kneecap injury.

The two also report that the 26-year-old from Shreveport, Louisiana, could instead opt for a cleanup procedure that has a two-to-three-month timetable.

Along with the long-term concerns and knowing Williams has to go through another surgery and rehabilitation process, what makes this development even worse is how enjoyable it was to watch him expanding his offensive game to start the campaign, showcasing more willingness to take jump shots on a rebuilding Portland Trail Blazers team.

At Wednesday morning's shootaround ahead of the Celtics' game against the Philadelphia 76ers, as captured by CLNS Media, Jaylen Brown told reporters that he texted Williams maybe two days before the news came out.

Jaylen had texted Rob days before his potential season-ending injury, telling @RealBobManning: "It's tough, but Rob is strong."

Full shootaround interview: https://t.co/vHDgO029Fx
⚡️ @FDSportsbook @Hellofresh @_OddsR pic.twitter.com/ud6q2nGtze

— Celtics on CLNS (@CelticsCLNS) November 8, 2023

"Telling him that I love him, see him soon, stuff like that," expressed the two-time All-Star. "I didn't know if he knew at that time. But two days later, the news came out. Hoping for a speedy recovery."

Brown also conveyed, "It's tough. Rob is strong, so I know he'll be able to recover and work through it. When he was here, I definitely had a friend (and I) had a brother. We were similar in mindsets. (We) didn't say a lot, didn't talk to a lot of people, but we understood each other. Rob was definitely somebody that I had a lot of respect for and was a great friend while he was here."

Further Reading

The Latest on Derrick White's Status for Wednesday's Celtics-Sixers Game

Examining What Went Wrong for Celtics' Offense in Loss vs. Timberwolves

Here's What Stood Out as Celtics Suffer First Loss This Season in OT Tilt vs. Timberwolves

Jayson Tatum Discusses the Bond Between Him and the City He Stars In

From Self Doubt to Celtics History, Jayson Tatum Discusses Journey to 10,000 Points: 'I Didn't Think I Was Good Enough'

Jrue Holiday Discusses Celtics' Offense and Their Mindset: 'That's How Most People Like to Play Basketball'

Here's Where Jaylen Brown Impressed Joe Mazzulla the Most in Celtics' Win vs. Heat

Kristaps Porzingis Gives Glimpse of How He'll Boost Celtics Late-Game Offense

Under Joe Mazzulla, Celtics Rebuilding Brotherhood Between Past and Present

Candace Parker on Celtics Trading Marcus Smart, Maximizing Tatum-Brown Tandem, Pat Summitt, and the Sports Matter Initiative

Dwyane Wade Discusses Jayson Tatum's Next Step, Him and Jaylen Brown's Challenge, Heat Culture, Pat Riley, Damian Lillard, and Life After Basketball