Locked On Celtics – October 16, 2025: Brown's Hamstring SCARE Overshadows Tillman's HEROICS | Can Celtics SURVIVE?

Host: John Karalis (Boston Sports Journal)
Podcast: Locked On Celtics

Overview: Main Theme & Purpose

This episode centers on the Boston Celtics' final preseason game, which, despite a thrilling finish courtesy of Xavier Tillman, was overshadowed by Jaylen Brown suffering yet another concerning hamstring injury. John Karalis analyzes what Brown’s latest hamstring issue means for the Celtics’ season outlook, evaluates standout and struggling individual performances, and expresses both optimism and concern about Boston’s depth as the regular season arrives.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jaylen Brown’s Hamstring Injury: The Major Worry

(Main segment: 01:47 – 12:50)

• Incident Recap: Seven minutes into the first quarter, Brown, with a well-documented history of hamstring issues, grabbed at his left hamstring after pushing the ball upcourt. He gingerly left the court and did not return, officially listed as “doubtful” with left hamstring tightness.
• Karalis’ Reaction:
  • Emphasized that soft tissue injuries – especially recurring ones like Brown’s – require a more conservative approach:

    "Soft tissue injuries are so different...there’s a reason why certain things keep happening to certain people. Their body is made a certain way where they constantly experience [these issues]." (08:00)

  • Stressed that, given the Celtics’ ambitions and upcoming regular season, precaution should trump player eagerness:

    "You have to overrule them. This is the one time you have to overrule the player. Soft tissue injury, Jaylen Brown, hamstring. You have to make extra sure...Whenever he says he’s ready, you give him a couple more days, give him some more stretching..." (09:50)

  • Acknowledged possibility it could be minor, but cautions against risk:

    “If there’s any wavering, then no, no, no, no. I don’t care if he misses the first week of the season...It’s okay. Just be, please be careful with Jaylen Brown.” (11:45)

2. Xavier Tillman’s Heroic Finish & Validation

(13:00 – 15:13)

• With Brown sidelined, others stepped up—especially Tillman, whose late-game performance stood out:
  • Stat Line: 7 points, 1 assist (for three), 2 rebounds in the final 4 minutes, responsible for 10 points in crunch time.
  • Personal Journey: Tillman shared postgame that, after knee issues last year, he dropped weight and feels more explosive:

    "There were points last year where I didn’t want to jump because I wasn’t sure how my knee was going to handle the jumping and the landing. And this year, I feel like I can do everything." (14:00)

  • Karalis reflected on the significance of this redemption moment for Tillman and how the building “got loud” for him.

3. Individual Player Observations

Derrick White’s All-Around Excellence:

• (16:00 – 17:32)
  • "He is a pure basketball player...He is so damn good. 33 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 blocked shots. 4 more block shots for Derrick White. He is incredible." (16:20)
  • Praised White for his humility, ego balance, and impact.

Payton Pritchard’s Grit Despite Cold Shooting:

• (17:38 – 18:34)
  • "Joe Mazzulla actually said after the game, you wouldn’t know watching that game that Pritchard was 1 for 11." (17:55)
  • Praised Pritchard for effort: 10 rebounds, 10 assists, team-high +19 plus/minus.

Nemiš Keita’s Consistency Challenge:

• (18:38 – 19:58)
  • "He was really good in this game, but we need to see it consistently...It’s kind of easy to chase something. It’s hard to have caught it and hold on to it.” (19:45)
  • Karalis invoked Mazzulla’s wild animal analogy: it’s tougher to claim and defend your role than to chase it.

Ugo Gonzalez & Josh Minot’s Future Potential:

• (20:10 – 20:44)
  • Gonzalez: "I’m telling you: Hugo Gonzalez is going to be a starter for the Boston Celtics…he’s only 19 years old." (20:20)
  • Minot: "Josh Minot is a rotation player this year...He’s been consistently good." (20:44)
  • Jayson Tatum’s practice comment: “We could have used this guy the past couple years.” (21:00)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Karalis on Celtics caution with Brown:

  “This is the one time you have to overrule the player. Soft tissue injury, Jaylen Brown, hamstring. You have to make extra sure.” (09:50)

• On Derrick White’s value:

  “I just love watching him play…humble, but you know, got that ego too. He’s got enough of that ego to drive him, but humble enough to understand, like, self-aware…the whole package.” (16:40)

• On Xavier Tillman’s moment:

  “To have this moment is important. To motivate him is important. To have him be like, okay, it’s working. I made these sacrifices. It’s working. I get to have this moment after my teammates coming up and cheering for me and the fans erupting, you know, that felt like a real moment.” (14:40)

• Wild animal (cheetah) analogy, via Joe Mazzulla:

  “It’s kind of easy to chase something. It’s hard to have caught it and hold on to it…You’ve got to hold on to that thing.” (19:45)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Jaylen Brown Injury Analysis & Long-Term Concern: 01:47–12:50
• Xavier Tillman’s Redemption, Game-Winner & Emotional Impact: 13:00–15:13
• Derrick White Praise: 16:00–17:32
• Payton Pritchard Analysis: 17:38–18:34
• Nemiš Keita Evaluation & Mazzulla’s Analogy: 18:38–19:58
• Ugo Gonzalez and Josh Minot Potential: 20:10–20:44
• Negatives: Turnovers, Simons, Garza, and End-of-Bench Outlook: 27:25–33:45

Additional Notes: Areas of Concern

• Late-Game Sloppiness:

  • Celtics nearly blew the lead with more fourth-quarter turnovers and "frantic play" (12:56).
  • "Once again, the turnovers were a problem. Celtics got sped up a little bit." (32:20)

• Anthony Simons Pressured in Clutch:

  • Simons singled out for 6 turnovers and difficulty handling late-game pressure.
  • "Joe Mazzulla said after the game, I left Simons out there as the only ballhandler for a reason. He’s going to need to be in these situations." (27:50)

• Luca Garza’s Offensive Fouls:

  • Recurring illegal screens flagged by refs. Karalis predicts officiating inconsistency will be frustrating for Garza. (29:35)

• Battle for Rotation Spots:

  • Baylor Scheierman and Jordan Walsh did not stand out; Karalis now sees Minot as having overtaken them for rotation minutes. (31:20)

Conclusion

John Karalis wraps up by framing the close of preseason as a mix of hope and anxiety for the Celtics. The team faces clear questions about depth and health, especially concerning Jaylen Brown’s hamstring, even as some new faces (Tillman, Minot, Gonzalez, Keita) show signs they can contribute. The prevailing sentiment: be patient and cautious with stars’ health, and keep a watchful eye on which young or fringe players grab their opportunities as the season begins.