The Boston Celtics will be without one of their leaders for Thursday's marquee game against a fellow Eastern Conference contender in the New York Knicks.

The Boston Celtics will be without star guard Jaylen ​Brown on Thursday as they ‌vie to clinch the No. 2 seed in the Eastern ​Conference against the host ​New York Knicks.

Jaylen Brown wants all the smoke. The Knicks have it, and more, for the Boston Celtics. It’s been roughly 11 months since the Knicks and Celtics met in the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs last season,

Boston ruled out Jaylen Brown (left Achilles tendonitis) ahead of its road matchup against the New York Knicks. Brown was one of four Celtics starters listed as questionable for the game, which is the front end of the team’s final back-to-back of the season.

The Boston Celtics announced starting lineup and injury report vs. the New York Knicks amid Jaylen Brown news and Jayson Tatum's MSG return.

A major reason for that has been Jaylen Brown. Brown has taken on a leading role throughout the season, providing consistent scoring and two-way impact. He is averaging 28.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.

The Celtics will be without Jaylen Brown for their 7:30 p.m. Thursday game against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Brown was downgraded from questionable to out with left Achilles tendinitis. Sam Hauser was upgraded from questionable to available.

The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. The Boston Celtics are on the road on Thursday night as they travel to take on the New York Knicks in an Eastern Conference showdown.