Jaylen Brown has been fantastic since returning from a hamstring injury on Dec. 13, and his good game could help turn the Celtics’ season around.

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It’s been a bumpy ride for the Celtics all season, but Wednesday’s win over the fiery Cleveland Cavaliers brings the C back to 16-16 on the season before the Christmas Day game against defending champion Milwaukee. Bucks. Boston remains just half a game behind the sixth seed, and just three games behind the Cavaliers for a place in the top four in the East.

The most welcome sight for the Celtics, however, is Brown’s return to form. Against Cleveland he showed his entire arsenal, hitting 3s, reaching the rim with ease and knocking down his defenders. He finished with 34 points on 22 shots, including 5 of 10 from long range as well.

“Today was probably one of the best days I’ve had since I got back,” Brown said. “We will continue adding those.”

Brown had been battling a hamstring injury since Nov. 4, when he injured his muscle against the Miami Heat. He missed Boston’s next eight games before returning on November 22 against the Houston Rockets, but the team closed it out again after the team’s victory against Philadelphia on November 27.

In the five games he has played since returning, Brown is averaging 25.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4 assists per game, showing improvement in every game as well.

Boston is 3-2 in games Brown has played since he returned, and despite his consistent inconsistency this season, Brown believes the season can be salvaged.

“I think we can still be a good team. I think we have shown it in spades, “he said.” I have been away for an extended period. I’m trying to go back We get the guys out, COVID. It’s not an excuse or anything, other teams do it too, but, if the question is, you ask, ‘do I still believe?’ 100 percent, regardless of whether someone else does it or not. “