Troubling new info emerges about Jaylen Brown's knee injury

Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown was sidelined for Friday night's game against the Charlotte Hornets due to a knee injury, and it sounds like the reigning NBA Finals MVP may have to play through some pain in the postseason.

Brown was ruled out for Friday's game with what the Celtics called a right knee posterior impingement. The issue has bothered Brown for weeks, and he recently admitted that he may not be 100 percent healthy for the remainder of the year.

On Sunday, ESPN's Ramona Shelburne reported that Brown received pain management injections in his knee earlier in the week to speed up the healing process.

Brown is dealing with a bone bruise, an injury that can cause significant pain. Shelburne adds that Brown is expected to be ready to go when the Celtics officially begin their NBA title defense on either April 19 or 20.

Brown also sat out on Wednesday night when the Celtics lost to the Orlando Magic. That officially made him ineligible for any of the All-NBA teams, as players must play in at least 65 regular-season games to be considered.

The Celtics are likely playing it safe with Brown, one of their most important players. Boston is locked into the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, so they have nothing to play for. Brown will likely sit out Sunday's regular-season finale against the Charlotte Hornets.

Brown has averaged 22.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game this season. He averaged 23.9 points per game during Boston's championship run a year ago.