Jaylen Brown was back in the Boston Celtics lineup, but he was definitely not himself … and that’s what makes his play in Boston’s 104-93 win over Sacramento kind of scary to foes.
Brown played just 25 minutes but still managed to score 19 points on 6-for-7 shooting from the field.
“I felt good; I felt great actually to be playing,” Brown told reporters after the game. “I was tired of sitting down. I just wanted to play, get ready for the playoffs. This is what it is about. Anytime I’m out there I feel happiness.”
MORE - Blakely's stars, studs, and duds from C's-Kings
Brown had missed Boston’s previous six games due to a concussion he suffered at Minnesota on March 8 when he lost his grip on the rim after a breakaway dunk and landed with a loud thud on his back.
In the days following the injury when he moved closer to returning to the floor, he knew he would likely be limited in some capacity upon his return to action.
But he certainly didn’t play cautious on the floor, even throwing down a few dunks which he said earlier would be frowned upon by his mother.
Boston Celtics
Find the latest Boston Celtics news, highlights, analysis and more with NBC Sports Boston.
“Sometimes you can’t help it,” said a grinning Brown after the win. “I was going in to take it easy but instincts kicked in.”
There was a moment when Brown an an uncontested breakaway similar to the one in which he suffered his concussion. Rather than dunking the ball, he simply laid it in.
“That’s probably what I’m gonna say (to his mother),” Brown said. “It’s all good. I’m happy to get the win.”
Brown’s quick return on a night when Boston was once again playing without multiple rotation players, is par for the course with this team.
“We have a team full of guys that are resilient,” Brown said. “We have a really good team. When the pieces come back and the puzzle comes together, hopefully we can make a run and get to the Finals.”