Getty Image
The Boston Celtics are the best team in the NBA thus far in the 2022-23 season.
Their record shows as much. But even beyond that, it’s been fairly inarguable to anyone who has watched the Celtics play on a consistent basis.
Besides a short skid in early January that included a rough loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Boston has been pretty undeniable.
Jayson Tatum is playing at an MVP level and Jaylen Brown has clearly established himself as a perennial NBA All-Star, giving the Celtics the best wing combo in the league.
In addition to those two, players like Marcus Smart, Robert Williams, Grant Williams and Malcolm Brogdon have Boston looking like the favorites to win it all in June.
The only thing that appears able get in the Celtics’ way right now is injuries.
But that’s exactly what happened, in a major way, on a Wednesday night.
Boston played host to third-place Philadelphia in a key Eastern Conference showdown. The Celtics were already without Smart, Robert Williams and Al Horford due to injury. Late in the first half, things got even worse.
Jaylen Brown Suffers Facial Fracture In Friendly Fire Incident With Jayson Tatum
Tatum and Brown came together when both trying to grab a rebound, and in the process Brown took an elbow to the face. The strike appeared to knock lose at least one tooth, and now it seems the result was far worse.
Boston’s Jaylen Brown has suffered a facial fracture and will miss some time, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Initial feeling is Brown could be sidelined through the All-Star break, with further specialist examination on Thursday.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 9, 2023
Shams Charania of The Athletic reports that Brown could miss weeks, including the NBA All-Star game, after suffering a facial fracture in the incident. Sixers star Joel Embiid missed eight days with a similar injury last season before returning with a mask in the playoffs. Given the long-term stakes, Brown will likely miss more time for Boston.
Celtics fans were not at all happy aboyt the news.
https://t.co/X9RK5azQeQ pic.twitter.com/l1dqRN3m48
— Rhino (@Rhino184) February 9, 2023
Damn bruh https://t.co/VwIixIhekW
— Kings (@Drkingsbruh) February 9, 2023
🥲☹️ Get better @FCHWPO https://t.co/QQL1kjChYC
— c. (@killac4ss) February 9, 2023
COME TF ON MAN https://t.co/5Ny3dhj9fc
— Reggie Xavier (@Xavier3Reggie) February 9, 2023
no one talk to me https://t.co/9NAJxJgJh3
— maha🇵🇸 (@rajkunaa) February 9, 2023
The one saving grace for Boston is the timing. They play just four more games before beginning the All-Star break on Feb. 15 and don’t return for eight days after.