Celts’ postseason plans change without Brown

Injuries are having an impact early in Round 2 of the NBA playoffs. From the Warriors’ Stephen Curry to the Celtics’ Jaylen Brown, which players have been able to play affects series in both conferences.

Brown is doubtful for the Celtics’ Game 2 matchup with the 76ers. The Raptors’ Fred VanVleet is hoping to play through a shoulder injury against the Cavaliers. The return of players elsewhere in the league — and the absence of others — has been noticeable.

A tweak, turn or strain to this or that has sidelined or limited players from AllStars to reserves — and that has influenced the early outcomes of Round 2.

After Brown strained his right hamstring in a Game 7 victory over the Bucks, he all but begged the Celtics to let him suit up for the start of their Eastern Conference semifinal matchup with the Sixers.

The Celtics managed without him in a 117-101 victory over the sluggish 76ers on Monday night, thanks to career nights by Al Horford, Terry Rozier and rookie Jayson Tatum.

But despite two days of rest and treatment, coach Brad Stevens said Brown is “very doubtful” for Game 2 on Thursday night.

“The bottom line with this hamstring injury is it’s not terrible. Not a long-term thing. It shouldn’t linger if he comes back at the right time,” Stevens said.

If Brown can’t go for Game 2, it will again put stress on a Celtics rotation that just recently got back Marcus Smart from a right thumb surgery.

VanVleet appeared to tweak his right shoulder in the second half of the Raptors’ 113-112 overtime loss in Game 1 Tuesday night. He missed most of the Raptors’ first-round series against the Wizards, but the team still turned to him with the game on the line against the Cavaliers. VanVleet missed what would have been a go-ahead 3-pointer in the waning moments of regulation and another in the extra frame.

“I wish I wasn’t hurt,” he said, “but I’m not looking for any excuses.”

Elsewhere, the return of some players and absence of others has been just as noticeable.

Curry, who sat out all of the first- round series against the Spurs with a sprained ligament in his left knee, gave the Warriors a major lift in his return for Game 2 of the semifinal matchup with the Pelicans on Tuesday night.

Ricky Rubio missed the Jazz’s series-opening loss against the Rockets on Sunday with a left hamstring injury and is out indefinitely. The Rockets’ Luc Mbah a Moute returned in Game 1 from a dislocated right shoulder he suffered last month.