Jaylen Brown
Getty
Jaylen Brown
The Boston Celtics hadn’t played since the All-Star break ended. Their first game back brought them to San Francisco on Thursday night for a matchup that carried more significance than a typical regular season contest.
Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis were both in the building wearing Golden State Warriors uniforms. Both spent meaningful time with the Celtics. Both helped deliver the 2024 championship. And both were on the floor facing their former team.
Boston won 121-110. After the final buzzer, Jaylen Brown addressed what the reunion meant.
Brown’s Message to Horford and Porzingis
Jaylen Brown didn’t avoid the significance of Thursday night. When reporters asked about facing former Celtics Horford and Porzingis postgame, Brown was direct.
“Those guys helped us win a championship in 2024,” Brown said, “so no better way to respect them than giving them the belt tonight.”
The line landed with the kind of wit that only works when the respect behind it is genuine. Brown was talking playful trash. But he was also acknowledging what Horford and Porzingis contributed to the franchise while making clear Thursday night remained a competition.
The balance reflects where Brown is as a leader right now. He carries the weight of this team without losing sight of the relationships that built it.
jb
Jaylen Brown on playing Horford and Porzingis tonight:
“Those guys helped us win a championship in 2024, so no better way than to respect them than giving them the belt tonight.”
😭😭
Brown Delivers Triple-Double Performance
The postgame message fit what Brown delivered during the game. He was the driving force from tip-off, finishing with 23 points, 15 rebounds, and 13 assists. He completed the triple-double with two minutes remaining in the third quarter.
Thursday marked his first game back since earning All-Star starter recognition for the first time in his career. He played like someone who understood the moment.
Payton Pritchard gave the Celtics a second offensive engine off the bench with 26 points, seven assists, and six rebounds. Sam Hauser was efficient throughout.
Golden State made things interesting late. Brown returned halfway through the 4th and stabilized the situation for an 11 point victory.
StatMuse
Jaylen Brown vs GSW:
23 PTS 15 REB 13 AST
The most triple-doubles in a season by a Celtic (3) since Rondo in 2015.
What the Celtics Reunion Represented
Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis are no longer Celtics. The roster has evolved. Younger players have filled their roles. Boston sits at 36-19, second in the Eastern Conference, without either of them. The franchise hasn’t missed a step.
Thursday served as a reminder of what that 2024 championship group created. Brown’s quote captured it in one line. The postgame scene, with players from opposing benches embracing after the buzzer, captured the rest. Championships build connections that outlast the roster that won them.
The Celtics have cultivated an environment where former players speak about the organization with genuine appreciation rather than obligation. Thursday showed that.
Kristaps Porzingis
Kristaps Porzingis and Jaylen Brown.
Final Word for the Celtics
Jaylen Brown gave the former Celtics their flowers on Thursday night, then posted a triple-double against them. The respect was real. The competition was too.
Boston is 36-19, second in the East, with Jayson Tatum reportedly progressing toward a return. Brown is producing at an MVP level. The bench is contributing consistently. The ball movement remains sharp.
The second half has started the right way. LA is up next.