Despite a series of setbacks, the Boston Celtics hold the second seed in the Eastern Conference with a 27-16 record.
When Jayson Tatum suffered a season-ending Achilles injury during last year's playoffs, questions arose about whether Boston could remain competitive without its franchise star. Doubts intensified after the Celtics traded Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday in the following months.
Pushing the Celtics past a slow 10-9 start, Jaylen Brown has risen to the occasion for a new-look core featuring Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, Anfernee Simons, and Neemias Queta.
Brown is averaging 29.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.8 assists over 40 games. He was recently named an Eastern Conference starter for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game.
Praise From Chris Bosh
Brown's efforts have also earned him a strong endorsement from an NBA legend. During a recent episode of NBA Showtime on NBC, Chris Bosh suggested that Brown should win this season's Most Valuable Player award.
"Can we give Jaylen Brown some credit? He should be MVP. I think he’s the frontrunner in my opinion. He’s playing amazing basketball. Nobody slotted Boston to be 2nd and Jaylen to be playing the way he is."
Brown is ranked fifth on the latest Kia MVP Ladder, behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, and Victor Wembanyama.
These past few months have been Brown's first substantial opportunity to lead the Celtics as a first option. Despite Brown being named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player during Boston’s 2024 championship season, Tatum was the team’s postseason leader in points, rebounds, and assists.
Although there is no official date for Tatum's return to action, there is a realistic chance that the 27-year-old makes his season debut before April. If this proves to be the case, Brown's MVP campaign may lose momentum.
Additionally, Jokic has consistently played at an elite level and reigning MVP Gilgeous-Alexander has led the Oklahoma City Thunder to the best record in the NBA.
Regardless of individual honors, Brown's leadership has solidified the Celtics as serious title contenders. Boston is six wins away from overtaking the Detroit Pistons for the first spot in the Eastern Conference.
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