Jaylen Brown
Getty
Jaylen Brown is gaining MVP momentum following a historic December
The Boston Celtics entered the 2025-26 season with major questions.
Jayson Tatum ruptured his Achilles during last season’s playoffs as the Celtics attempted to defend their 2024 championship. He has missed most of this season. The Celtics also lost Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet in the offseason. The roster looked unrecognizable compared to the team that won 61 games last year.
Most analysts expected Boston to take a step back. Some predicted the Celtics would struggle to make the playoffs. The Eastern Conference was wide open, and the Celtics did not appear equipped to compete at the same level.
Jaylen Brown had other ideas.
Brown Makes His Feelings Clear on Social Media
Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
GettyJaylen Brown, Boston Celtics.
Brown posted a graphic on X Thursday night comparing the Celtics’ performance at the All-Star break this season to their numbers at the break last season.
The stats were nearly identical. Boston sits at 35-19 this year compared to 39-16 last season. They rank second in the Eastern Conference both seasons. Their offensive rating, defensive rating, and net rating are all within a few points of last year’s team that won 61 games and attempted to defend the championship.
“I’m proud of this group and staff/office looking forward to 2nd half go Cs,” Brown wrote.
The post was not dramatic. It was a simple acknowledgment of what the Celtics have accomplished so far. But the numbers tell a bigger story. Boston has nearly matched last season’s pace despite losing four key rotation players and playing without Tatum for nearly the entire season.
Some fans in the comments read between the lines and suggested Brown was taking a shot at Tatum. The implication being that Boston does not need Tatum to win. But Brown made no such statement. He praised the group and staff for their work this season while looking ahead to the second half.
Brown has carried the offensive load all year. He is averaging 29.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game. Those are career highs across the board, and he is shooting 48.3 percent from the field. He earned his fifth All-Star selection and will start the game Sunday.
The Celtics are 35-19 because Brown elevated his game. He became the primary scorer, the leader, and the player opponents had to game plan around. And he delivered night after night.
Jaylen Brown
I’m proud of this group and staff/ office looking forward to 2nd half go Cs ☘️
What the Numbers Show for the Celtics
The comparison Brown posted was not subtle.
The Celtics are performing at nearly the same level as last season’s team despite massive roster turnover. That is remarkable. Teams that lose four rotation players and their best scorer usually fall apart. Boston did not.
Head coach Joe Mazzulla deserves credit for keeping the team competitive. The coaching staff adjusted the system to maximize Brown’s strengths and get production from players who were not expected to contribute at this level.
The role players stepped up. Neemias Queta, Jordan Walsh, and Sam Hauser have all contributed more than expected. The defense has remained elite.
But the common thread is Brown. He has been the best player on the floor for the Celtics in nearly every game this season. And the team’s success reflects that.
What Brown’s Post Reveals About Tatum’s Return
Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
GettyJayson Tatum, Boston Celtics.
Tatum is nearing a return to action.
He has begun practicing with the Celtics’ G-League affiliate, and reports suggest he could be back on the court within weeks. The question is whether the Celtics rush him back in March or take a more cautious approach and aim for a playoff return.
The Celtics are winning without Tatum. They have proven they can compete at a championship level with the current roster. Brown’s confidence in the group shows he believes they can continue at this pace.
When Tatum does return, the Celtics will have two legitimate MVP-caliber players on the same roster. Brown has emerged as an MVP candidate this season, and Tatum was playing at that level before the injury. That combination gives Boston a realistic shot at winning another championship.
Final Word for the Celtics
Jaylen Brown’s post was a simple acknowledgment of what the Celtics have accomplished this season.
The stats show Boston is performing at nearly the same level as last year’s team despite losing four key players and playing without Tatum.
Brown has been the driving force behind that success. He has elevated his game to an MVP level and carried the Celtics through the first half of the season. The role players have stepped up. And Mazzulla has coached his best season yet.
The Celtics are not a gap year team. They are not waiting for Tatum to return before they start competing for a championship. They are already there. Brown’s post made that clear without saying it directly.
The second half of the season will determine whether the Celtics can sustain this level of play. If they stay healthy and continue defending at an elite level, they will be one of the most dangerous teams in the playoffs. And if Tatum returns fully healthy, the rest of the Eastern Conference should be worried.
Brown is proud of what the Celtics have accomplished so far. He should be. This team has exceeded every expectation, and their best basketball is still ahead of them.