NBA Notes: Celtics, Jaylen Brown, Knicks, Raptors, Scottie Barnes

Celtics

The Celtics have 50 wins and control the No. 2 seed. Not bad for what Jaylen Brown jokingly called a “gap year.”

Either way, coach Joe Mazzulla isn’t interested in the Coach of the Year talk.

“I don’t need it. I think it’s a stupid award,” Mazzulla said, via Jay King of The Athletic. “They shouldn’t have it… It’s more about the players… I really don’t ever want to be asked or talk about it again.”

He was more open when discussing Jayson Tatum, who earned Player of the Week honors after returning from a torn Achilles.

“It’s a good, small affirmation that he’s continuing to chip away,” Mazzulla said. “It’s a credit to the work that he’s put in… and what he’s doing.”

Knicks

Miles McBride appears to have avoided anything serious.

The Knicks guard, who recently returned from sports hernia surgery, is listed as questionable for Tuesday against Houston, per Ian Begley of SNY. He also got in some work at shootaround, according to The Athletic’s James L. Edwards.

So, at the moment, this doesn’t look like a major setback.

Raptors

Scottie Barnes is building a case.

According to The Athletic’s Eric Koreen, the Raptors forward deserves All-NBA consideration based on his all-around impact. Barnes is averaging 18.6 points and ranks near the top of the league in “stocks,” with 211 combined steals and blocks. Only Victor Wembanyama has more.

Meanwhile, Immanuel Quickley remains sidelined with plantar fasciitis. He traveled with the team but is in a walking boot, per Michael Grange and Josh Lewenberg.

A return is possible in the coming weeks, though he’s not expected to be at full strength until next season.