BOSTON — While there were plenty of fireworks after the Celtics lost to the Bulls on Thursday, there was also some unsettling off-court news around the team this week. There was an attempted home break-in at C’s star Jaylen Brown’s residence in Wellesley. Brown’s mother was reportedly at the residence as he missed practices this week being with her.
Brown was emotional talking about the experience after the game Thursday, saying it’s been a “tough week.” Brown also wasn’t the lone Celtics member to be affected. Assistant coach Amile Jefferson had his 2024 championship ring stolen from his estate in a separate break-in. The incidents occurred while the C’s were playing the Wizards in Washington D.C. on Sunday. Those around the team shared their support.
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“They’re healthy, which is good, so they’re safe,” C’s coach Joe Mazzulla said. “It’s a scary thing for people. You see it happen around different sports, so you’re obviously aware of it. If it happens to you, you have an understanding of the risk there. We’re just happy that they’re safe.”
Brown is just one of a string of high-profile break-ins that have affected athletes across different sports. NFL stars Joe Burrow, Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes have been targeted, while NBA players like Mike Conley and Bobby Portis have also been in the news for similar reasons.
That’s meant the NBA and NFL have alerted their players, educating them on what safeguards they can take while they’re on the road playing games. Brown said the Celtics provided them with information, but obviously, going through the experience is different than preparing for potential threats.
“I can only imagine,” Jayson Tatum said. “It really puts things in perspective. Obviously, everybody’s family is most important. I can only imagine how tough that is to have that on your mind and still go out here and try to do your job at a high level. So just being there for him in any way we can and knowing we’re kind of all in this together.”
