Jaylen Brown Optimistic About Return to NBA Action After Accidental Elbow From Jayson Tatum

• Jaylen Brown is unsure if he will participate in the upcoming All-Star Game
• He was inadvertently hit in the face by teammate Jayson Tatum on the court
• Brown was looking to play in his second NBA All-Star Game but could miss it

Jaylen Brown is hopeful of returning to NBA action for the Boston Celtics, as he continues to recover from a facial fracture sustained when he was inadvertently struck in the face by teammate, Jayson Tatum.

Brown is unsure if he will play in the upcoming 2023 NBA All-Star Game in Salt Lake City.

He has missed the Celtics' last two games and will likely miss a potential Eastern Conference showdown against the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday, February 14.

The 26-year-old is having a phenomenal season. He is averaging career highs in points (26.5), rebounds (7), and field goal percentage (48.7), and was selected for his second All-Star appearance as a reserve.

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Brown played an essential role in the Celtics' run to the NBA Finals last season where they lost to the Golden State Warriors in six games.

This season, his team has proven why they are the best team in the NBA. The Celtics are top of the Eastern Conference and have the best record in the league (41-16)

Brown opens up on injury

Brown sustained the injury against the Philadelphia 76ers, after colliding with Tatum while chasing a loose ball off a missed three-pointer.

He was accidentally hit in the face and ruled out of the game, later being diagnosed with a facial fracture.

Brown admitted he was relieved when the doctors told him he didn't need surgery.

"Had to get a couple scans, see a bunch of specialists and different doctors to get all the info... I'm just happy that I don't have to go through that process because I probably would have missed a lot more games. So, I don't think it'll be too long. I figure I'll be fine," via ESPN.

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Brown said he would wear a protective mask when returning to action. If he doesn't play in the All-Star Game this coming weekend, he will have a few days to heal and recover.

Hauser inspires Celtics to victory

Sports Brief also reported on Sam Hauser sinking six three-pointers to help a short-handed Celtics overcome a determined Memphis Grizzlies.

He scored 20 points including a career-high of six threes, in what was a productive outing after effectively filling in for the injured stars.

Marcus Smart and Malcolm Brogdon are out due to injuries, but eight Celtics players finished the game with double-digit in their absence.