We have a new installment in the Jaylen Brown mask saga: Masked Jaylen Returns.
The Boston Celtics star has worn a black facemask in every game since the NBA All-Star break to protect a facial fracture he suffered Feb. 8. After going 1 for 7 to begin Sunday's Game 4 in Atlanta, however, Brown ditched the mask in frustration -- and surged to 31 points while hitting 11 of 15 shots without the mask to help the C's secure a 129-121 victory.
Jaylen Brown loses mask, finds his offense in Celtics' Game 4 win
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So, time to retire the mask, right? Not yet.
Joining NBC Sports Boston's Early Edition on Tuesday, Celtics radio color analyst Cedric Maxwell revealed that Brown will bring the mask back for Game 5 against the Hawks at TD Garden.
"I talked to Jaylen Brown a minute ago," Maxwell said. "Jaylen Brown is going back with the mask on, and he's going to have the mask on because he said he does not feel completely right now.
"He said he doesn't want to get hit, because if he gets hit there again, he might need surgery. So, look for that. Jaylen Brown the masked man is coming back."
Brown's decision makes sense; while he was in a bit of an offensive funk entering Game 4, he mostly excelled wearing the protective facewear down the stretch, averaging 27 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game after the All-Star break.
Brown admitted that ditching the mask Sunday gave him a psychological boost in the moment, but Maxwell said there's no guaranteed that boost last, and that it's important to put safety first.
Boston Celtics
"Players sometimes are superstitious," Maxwell said of Brown. "He hadn't hit a shot, takes the mask off, knocks down the shot and then continues to knock down shots.
"I think now he's just kind of back to reality, like that might have just have been a fluke. He wants to protect himself for the rest of the (post) season."
The NBA playoffs are much more intense and physical than the regular season, so wearing the mask should give Brown some peace of mind Tuesday night as the Celtics try to close out the Hawks with a 3-1 series advantage.