It is easy for NBA fans to get caught up in all the drama the league has to offer. But some often forget that professional athletes lead normal lives away from work just like everyone else.

Prior to tonight's marquee matchup against the Golden State Warriors, it was discovered that a close friend of Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown had passed away.

https://twitter.com/SparkHoops/status/931356906299441153

Despite the tremendous loss, Brown managed to put up a strong game in his honor to help the Celtics squeak out a 92-88 win. Head coach Brad Stevens discussed Brown's effort afterward and said he was not even sure if the athletic forward was going to play, according to Jared Weiss of Celtics Wire.

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“It’s been a tough 24 hours for him…we didn’t know if he was going to play, but then he decided to play. I think it was a good distraction for him. And he played pretty good.”

Jaylen Brown played a huge part in the win by leading the Celtics in scoring with 22 points. He was an animal in nearly every facet of the game as he also also had seven rebounds, two blocks, and two steals.

Losing close friends and family is a situation that Boston has become all too familiar with recently following the death of former star point guard Isaiah Thomas' sister during last year's playoffs. Expect to see the Celtics organization rally around its players now as it did then.