Brown said the first MRI revealed there was fluid in the area.

“I don’t like missing games, especially at the start of the year, but it bothers me,” he said. “It’s been two and a half weeks.”

The Celtics have been relatively healthy at the start of the season, aside from the injury Kristaps Porzingis. Several clubs have been besieged by injuries early in the season, the latest being Orlando – All-Star. Paolo Banchero will miss at least a month with an oblique injury.

Brown couldn’t promise he’d return for Monday’s game in his native Atlanta.

“I didn’t feel like my legs were underneath me, facing that hip flexor,” he said. “It affects my explosion and bursting more. And then, mentally, I try to understand that too. Thinking about it is a bit of a mess, but everything will be fine.

Williams and Tatum make peace

According to an NBA source, Grant Williams And Jayson Tatum spoke after Friday’s emotional game where Williams was ejected for a Flagrant 2 foul on Tatum with two minutes remaining.

Williams slammed into Tatum on a fast break, hitting Tatum in the back. Tatum immediately got up, passed Williams and headed to the free throw line. He did not speak with the media after the game.

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said he did not speak to Tatum about the incident except to ask if he was okay.

Officials deemed the action reckless and immediately expelled Williams. The former Celtic said the act was unintentional and considered Tatum one of his closest friends. Williams apparently apologized to Tatum after Friday’s game and Tatum accepted. Both were present on Saturday.

Brown said after Friday’s game that he realized teams were going to try to be physical with the Celtics to send a message. He said his team was ready to attack.

“I ride for all my guys in the locker room, and teams like to send messages and try to set the tone and do all sorts of things to either make us lose our character, or mess with our minds, or make us feel like if we were soft,” he said. “We don’t want any of that.

A day later, Brown said he had no problem with the tactic.

“It’s part of the game and I love it,” he said. “I accept the physical side. When it comes down to it, I feel like I win these matchups.

In the rotation?

Neemias Queta becomes a legitimate bench option for Mazzulla. He contributed 12 points and six rebounds in Friday’s victory, after playing a crucial role in the fourth quarter and overtime in Wednesday’s game. close loss to the Indiana Pacers.

Luke Kornet started Friday and played 23 minutes, but it was Queta who finished the game.

With Queta’s minutes increasing, Xavier Tillman’s role has diminished. He didn’t play Friday, his first DNP of the season, and he played just eight minutes against the Pacers.

More movements

The Hornets also underwent some adjustments Saturday, with second-year swingman Brandon Miller returning to the field after missing the last three games with a hip injury. Charlotte was missing two starters: Nick Richards, who injured his shoulder in a collision with Kornet, and Seth Curry, who was scratched by sore right knee. . . Al Horford returned to the Celtics lineup after missing Friday’s game to rest. . . Several Celtics were impressed by one particular shot from LaMelo Ball during his 31-point performance on Friday. The ball hit a corner 3-pointer in front of the Boston bench to beat the shot clock, swinging the shot despite the difficult angle and little time for release.

Gary Washburn is a Globe columnist. He can be contacted at [email protected]. Follow him @GwashburnGlobe.