An initial MRI revealed some fluid in the area, Brown said.

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

Aside from the injury, the Celtics have been relatively healthy this early season. Kristaps Porzingis. Many clubs have been beset by injuries at the start of the season, including the recent Orlando All-Star game. Paolo Banchero He will miss at least a month due to an oblique injury.

Brown couldn’t promise he would return for Monday’s game in his hometown of Atlanta.

“When I was dealing with this hip flexor, I didn’t feel like my legs were underneath me,” he said. “This makes me pop and pop more. And then we try to figure it out mentally as well. “Thinking about it spoils everything a little bit, but I’ll be fine.”

Williams and Tatum are making peace

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

Williams hit Tatum during a fast break, knocking Tatum onto his rear end. Tatum immediately stood up, walked past Williams and walked to the free throw line. He did not make a statement to the press after the match.

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla He said he didn’t talk to Tatum about the incident other than asking if he was okay.

Officials decided the action was reckless and immediately expelled Williams. The former Celtic said the action was unintentional and that he considered Tatum to be one of his closest friends. Williams apparently apologized to Tatum after Friday’s game, and Tatum accepted. Both were in the lineup on Saturday.

Brown said after Friday’s game that he understands teams will try to be physical to send a message to the Celtics. He declared that his team was ready to attack.

“I compete for all my players in the locker room and teams like to send messages, set the tone and do all kinds of things to throw us out of character, confuse us or make us feel like we’ve gone soft,” he said. “We’re not going for any of that. This is it. We’re not just going for it.

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

“It’s part of the game and I like it,” he said. “I embrace physicality. When it comes down to it, I feel like I’m winning these matchups.”

To rotation?

Neemias Queta becomes a legitimate backup option for Mazzulla. He contributed to Friday’s win with 12 points and 6 rebounds after playing a key fourth quarter and overtime role in Wednesday’s game. Close loss to Indiana Pacers.

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

As Queta’s minutes increased, Xavier Tillman’s role decreased. He did not play on Friday, his first DNP of the season, playing just eight minutes against the Pacers.

More moves

The Hornets also made some roster adjustments on Saturday; Second-year swing player Brandon Miller returned to action after missing the last three games with a hip injury. Charlotte was missing two starters: Nick Richards, who suffered a shoulder injury when he hit Kornet, and Seth Curry, who suffered a sore right knee. . . Al Horford returned to the Celtics lineup after missing Friday’s game to rest. . . Many Celtics were impressed by a particular shot that LaMelo Ball hit during his 31-point performance on Friday. Ball drilled a corner 3-pointer in front of the Boston bench to beat the shot clock, knocking the shot away despite the difficult angle and little time to break free.

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