Jaylen Brown Removes Mask, Scores 31 Points in Celtics’ Win Over Hawks

ATLANTA, AP — Jaylen Brown removed her mask, revealing a guy who suddenly couldn’t miss.
Brown scored 31 points, most after removing a face shield he’d worn for two months, and the Boston Celtics nearly advanced to the second round with a 129-121 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday night.

Jayson Tatum also had 31 points for the Celtics, who now lead 3-1 with the best-of-seven series returning to Boston for a potential clincher on Tuesday.

Brown stunned his teammates by removing his mask during a timeout early in the second quarter after making just 1 of 7 shots. Marcus Smart joked that no one recognized Brown at first; after all, he’s been wearing the black shield ever since he suffered facial bruises in February.