The Boston Celtics have officially upgraded Jaylen Brown to available for tonight’s matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans, ending speculation about the 2024 Finals MVP’s status.
Brown, who has been nursing a left hamstring strain since the start of the 2025-26 season, had been listed as questionable on the league’s latest injury report. Despite the lingering issue, the 29-year-old wing hasn’t missed a single game yet—though it hasn’t translated to wins for Boston, which sits winless at 0-3.
Head coach Joe Mazzulla had previously labeled Brown a game-time decision ahead of the second leg of an early-season back-to-back. The green light comes as a major boost for a Celtics squad desperate to avoid an 0-4 start.
Through three games, the 6-foot-6 Cal product has been a bright spot amid the early struggles, averaging 29.7 points on .492/.500/.760 shooting splits, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists (with 4.3 turnovers). His standout performance came just last night: 41 points on 12-of-25 from the floor (5-of-9 from three) and 12-of-15 from the line, plus six boards and four assists in a 119-113 loss to Detroit.
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Beyond Jayson Tatum—who remains sidelined for most or all of the 2025-26 campaign while recovering from an Achilles tear—the Celtics’ injury report is otherwise clean. Rookie two-way guard Max Shulga has been assigned to the G League’s Maine Celtics for minutes.
The Pelicans, meanwhile, will be shorthanded. Zion Williamson (left bone contusion) has been downgraded to out after being questionable, joining Kevon Looney (left knee sprain) and Dejounte Murray (right Achilles tear recovery) on the sideline.
Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET in New Orleans.