Perhaps in one of the more terrifying injury scares of the 2017-18 NBA season, Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown took a hard fall in which he landed awkwardly on his neck/back area. As a result, Brown will be placed in the NBA’s concussion protocol and has no timetable set for a return according to Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald.
Head coach Brad Stevens confirmed that Brown suffered a concussion but added that no structural damage was sustained:
#NEBHInjuryReport: Brad Stevens says that Jaylen Brown has no structural damage, but that Brown did suffer a concussion and will not be available tomorrow night against Indiana.
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) March 10, 2018
The play came late in the third quarter of the Celtics’ matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Brown drove down the lane and threw down a dunk before losing his grip on the rim and falling backwards. Brown landed squarely on the back of his neck, and a scary moment ensued in which the 21-year-old laid still on the ground.
Jaylen Brown took a hard fall after a dunk ?
(via @clippittv) pic.twitter.com/zFcn84xK1A
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) March 9, 2018
Jaylen Brown was able to get up and walk off the court on his own ?
Minnesota fans show him love as he walks off
Prayers up to @FCHWPO pic.twitter.com/7vNZQJyUQ5
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) March 9, 2018
Thankfully, Jaylen Brown was able to get up and walk off on his own power minutes later. The injury looked extremely dangerous and Brown is certainly fortunate that the fall didn’t damage anything besides his head and brain.
Brown will have to complete several steps through the league’s concussion protocol before he is cleared for action. The Celtics will be in no rush to bring one of their best, young pieces back so it could be a while before Brown returns to the hardwood.
