The big Malcolm Brogdon question for the Celtics heading into Game 6

The Celtics’ sudden revival within the final two video games of the Japanese Convention Finals has not included a resurgence for Malcolm Brogdon.

The Sixth Man of the 12 months continues to battle an obscure forearm damage that pressured him out after slightly below eight minutes of enjoying time in Recreation 5. Brogdon is listed as questionable on Boston’s Recreation 6 damage report as of Friday evening with a proper forearm pressure.

Jared Weiss of The Athletic previously reported that Brogdon has been enjoying by means of {a partially} torn tendon in his elbow, and was even coping with soreness relationship again to the second spherical earlier than aggravating the damage in Recreation 1.

Although Brogdon’s present well being is a bit unclear, the damage is undoubtedly hampering his influence. He’s taking pictures simply 33% from the sphere within the convention finals and a dismal 3-of-16 from lengthy vary. Brogdon’s minutes have considerably decreased in each subsequent recreation this collection, and he’s made one subject objective throughout the final three contests.

If Brogdon can’t go on Saturday, elevated stress clearly falls on Derrick White and Marcus Good to make photographs and drive the basketball. However even when Brogdon is given the inexperienced mild, how efficient can he be?

Brogdon is instrumental to the Celtics’ offensive objectives. He’s driving the ball 7.8 instances per recreation within the postseason, the third-most on the complete staff behind solely Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, even regardless of a pure lower to six.4 this collection as a result of his restricted minutes.

The Celtics traded for Brogdon final summer time as a result of they wanted his punch within the paint. All through this season, once they’ve misplaced their spark, he’s been unafraid to buckle down and zoom to the basket. Dribble penetration goes to assist Boston bend Miami’s zone and total protection. Brogdon helps preserve that stress on.

However his perimeter scoring, in all sides, is what helped him to an award-winning stage this yr. The 30-year-old took an unreal leap as a shooter.

Based on PBP Stats, Brogdon was one in every of 60 NBA gamers to aim greater than 100 “self-created” threes (makes an attempt after holding the ball for not less than two seconds) and “assisted” threes (makes an attempt in beneath two seconds). Amazingly, Brogdon shot a near-identical 44.1% and 44.6% in these contexts, respectively. He ranked first in that group of 60 on pull-ups and third on the catch-and-shoot aspect.

Brogdon slot in so many offensive roles for Boston. He might be a spacer in a five-out setting. He may provoke with a threatening pull-up jumper or bail the staff out late within the clock. And we watched him prolong his success into the postseason till the premature damage.

Now what?

It’s admirable Brogdon has battled by means of ache — however the phrase is out. Can the Warmth sag off of him as a result of they know he’s nursing an damage? Can Brogdon draw defenders to the identical diploma?

Then there’s a observe like this. Everyone seems to be conscious that Boston desires to shoot threes from all spots on the ground at a excessive charge. Brogdon can and will proceed to shoot them even whereas he’s damage. However how a lot do his misses hurt the staff?

That being mentioned, the Celtics want him on the ground for his extra roles as a driver and passer. Payton Pritchard, as nice a shooter as he’s, doesn’t provide a lot contained in the arc, and would even be a priority in opposition to a Warmth protection that likes to hunt mismatches.

Joe Mazzulla may additionally choose to squeeze the rotation additional, placing extra onus on Marcus Good and Derrick White to create off the dribble with the Jays. Are they prepared so as to add extra on-ball utilization to their different duties?

Within the common season — or perhaps a totally different playoff collection — Boston might be content material to relaxation Brogdon or let him energy by means of the struggles. However the Celtics fumbled away room to experiment once they went down 3-0.

Mazzulla has to nail virtually each managerial determination if his staff desires to make a historic comeback. The Brogdon dilemma — whether or not or to not play him, how a lot, and in what contexts — is among the subsequent huge exams for the younger head coach.