Tonight, Jaylen Brown and the Boston Celtics are set to take on Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets in a matchup of two teams at a crossroads. The Celtics have undergone a significant transformation during the offseason, driven by major roster moves aimed at avoiding luxury tax penalties and a devastating Achilles tendon rupture for superstar Jayson Tatum. With Brown now the sole leader, this is no longer the same Celtics team that fans are accustomed to seeing.
Boston has stumbled out of the gate in the 2025-2026 season with a 3-3 record. On the other side, Durant’s Rockets sit at 2-2, making this game a pivotal early-season contest for both franchises. With a victory hanging in the balance, fans are eager to know if the stars will be on the court tonight.
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Will Jaylen Brown Suit Up Against the Houston Rockets?
The absence of Jayson Tatum is expected to have a significant impact on the Celtics’ performance this season. While he might return before the end of the year, it remains unclear what version of Tatum will rejoin the team after such a significant injury.
After a rough start that surprised the NBA world, Boston has found its footing. The Celtics lost their first three games of the season, but they have since gained momentum and are currently riding a three-game winning streak. Adding to the positive news for Boston, Brown appears to be completely healthy for this matchup against the Rockets.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the rest of the roster. Beyond Tatum’s long-term placement on the injury report, both Payton Pritchard and Derrick White are also dealing with injuries. Their status for tonight’s game against the Rockets remains uncertain, potentially leaving the Celtics shorthanded.
In the meantime, Brown is doing everything he can to carry the Celtics. While his career scoring average is 19.1 points per game, he has significantly elevated his play this season, averaging 27.7 points per game. He is also entering tonight’s contest after back-to-back 30-point performances against the Cleveland Cavaliers and Philadelphia 76ers.
As Brown aims for another statement game against Houston, it is time to look at the health of their opponent and their injury report.
What Is the Health Status of the Houston Rockets?
While the Celtics are expected to take a step back this season, expectations for the Rockets have soared following their blockbuster trade for Kevin Durant. In fact, many in the basketball community believe Houston now has a real chance to contend in the Western Conference.
A matchup against the former NBA champions, even a depleted version, will serve as an important measuring stick for the Rockets. It provides them with a great opportunity to assess their standing as a potential title contender. While Dorian Finney-Smith is dealing with an ankle injury and Fred VanVleet tore his ACL before the season began, the rest of the Houston roster looks healthy and ready to play.
Given Boston’s injury woes, many will view the Celtics as the underdogs in this showdown against Durant’s Rockets. This leaves fans wondering if Brown can single-handedly lead his team to a win and continue their recent momentum.
