Something about Orlando just brings out the fire in Jaylen Brown. Back in December last year, the Celtics walked out of Kia Center frustrated. Not just with the loss, but with the whistles. Brown didn’t hold back then, calling out what he saw as one-sided officiating that let Orlando bully their way into a win. “They were allowed to use their hands,” he said. “They set the tone, and the team that sets the tone often gets the game kind of called in their favor.” Fast forward to Game 3 of the playoffs, and it’s déjà vu with higher stakes.

Same building. Same vibe. And the same frustrations. Only this time, it’s not just about missed calls—it’s about missed control. After a hard foul from Cole Anthony, Jaylen Brown dislocated his left index finger, but in a recent update, he assured Celtics fans that he’ll be fine. Despite downplaying the injury, the timing couldn’t be worse as Boston heads into a high-stakes playoff battle.

Jaylen Brown addressed the mounting physicality of the series, particularly the controversial flagrant foul that led to his finger injury. “It’s starting to feel like it’s not even basketball,” Brown remarked, venting his frustration at the growing aggression from the Orlando Magic and the refereeing inconsistencies. “If we want to fight, we can do that. We can fight to see who goes to the second round.”

As the Celtics tried to push through the relentless Orlando defense, Brown’s frustration came through during the postgame interview. “Yeah, definitely,” Brown acknowledged when asked about how the physicality had impacted the game. “If you can get away with it, you know, I would do it too. That definitely affected us, but we’ll be ready for game four.” Despite the pain, Brown’s injury didn’t seem to deter his determination. “It was my finger, on my left hand,” Brown explained, emphasizing that it was a relatively minor injury compared to what could have happened. “I got nine more, so I’m alright.”

His frustration wasn’t just about his injury, nor about the increasingly physical nature of the game that the referees were allowing to go unchecked. But the bitterness and bias that came along with it. “Don’t have a problem with physicality,” he said. “Just that when I use it, it’s called offensive fouls. If you are allowing guys to hand check, allow it on both sides.” His remark about “potentially fighting” to move to the next round wasn’t just an outburst, it was a response to the absence of control on the floor, especially when the Magic’s hard fouls were going unpunished.

The dislocation, though not on his shooting hand, significantly hampered his overall game. As a key player for the Celtics, Brown’s ability to defend, handle the ball, and move quickly was affected by the injury. His statement of taking it “one day at a time” showed that while he was willing to fight through the injury, there was still an awareness of how it could limit him.

Even with the injury, Brown’s leadership remained key to the Celtics’ strategy. Yet the burden now fell more on the other players to step up. To fill the gaps that Brown might not be able to cover fully. The Celtics were already dealing with the pressure of the Magic’s physicality. And now, they faced the additional challenge of whether Brown could continue to be as effective on the court.

Jaylen Brown’s Injury and What the Celtics Need from Him

With Brown managing his injury, the onus now falls even heavier on Jayson Tatum. Brown, while confident he’ll recover, acknowledged the physical toll the series has taken on the team. Especially in terms of ball security. “My team needs me to take care of the basketball,” Brown said, underlining the critical need for Tatum to lead offensively while dealing with the heightened physicality.

Tatum’s role is pivotal in keeping the momentum. Now, with more weight on his shoulders, it will be crucial for him to stay focused and rise to the challenge. The Celtics are at a crossroads, and it’s on their stars to respond with poise.

Brown’s candid thoughts about the game’s physicality weren’t just about his own frustration. Rather, they were a signal to his team that they needed to adapt to Orlando’s style without losing their focus. “We just gotta fight. We gotta meet the level next game, and we’ll be more prepared,” he said. The Celtics needed to respond not with chaos, but with control, pushing back without crossing the line. It was about maintaining the physicality of the game without giving into the emotions that could wreck their strategy.

As tensions mount, the question remains: how will the Celtics handle the next game? With Brown’s finger injury and the physical nature of the series, they need to dig deeper into their resolve. They’ve been here before, facing challenges that seemed unbeatable. However, with the series now tied and the pressure mounting, it’s clear that the Celtics have to do more than just respond. They need to take control.

The Celtics have shown their stamina in previous playoff runs. And while this game may have been an emotional setback, it’s clear that they understand what’s at stake. “We’re supposed to be playing basketball,” Brown reiterated. “But the flagrant fouls are piling up. It is what it is, but we have to be ready for game four.” His message is simple: despite the frustration and injuries, the Celtics have only one goal—to push forward and secure a spot in the next round. And the battle? It is so far from over!