Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown
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Jaylen Brown continues to be tossed around as MVP candidate amid career year for Celtics.
Since being drafted third overall in 2016, Jaylen Brown has blossomed into a pillar for the Boston Celtics franchise. While he’s long been one of their key contributors, his heightened play this season has him in the mix for a major accolade.
Heading into the 2026 campaign, Brown was a player with a lot of eyes on him. With Jayson Tatum set to miss an extended period and Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis being traded, he was tasked with leading the charge solo for Boston. Brown has delivered in a big way as the top option, putting together the best season of his career to date.
Through 50 games, Brown is averaging 29.2 PPG, 7.0 RPG, and 4.8 APG. These have not been “empty-calorie” stats either, as his play is contributing to winning in a big way. Despite Tatum’s absence, the Celtics sit in second place in the Eastern Conference with a 36-19 record.
Between his counting stats and Boston playing so well, some have started to make an MVP case for Brown. Based on recent developments, he looks to be gaining real steam.
Sitting in sixth place seems far away, but there is one key factor helping Brown. That being the NBA’s new 65-game rule. Guys like SGA and Jokic are within range of possibly not being eligible, paving a path for Brown to quickly rise up ballots.
Former NBA All-Star Puts Jaylen Brown in MVP Conversation
Media members who partake in the straw poll are not the only ones buying into Brown having an MVP case this season. Talking heads around the league are also starting to push the narrative as he continues to shine and keep Boston in the mix in the East.
While on FanDuel TV’s “Run It Back” show on February 20th, former All-Star DeMarcus Cousins gave his thoughts on the MVP race this year. In his eyes, Brown is one of the clear frontrunners take home the award.
“For me. First and second is Cade then Jaylen Brown, then it’s everybody else,” Cousins said.
Run It Back
No SGA, No Jokic 😳 @boogiecousins has Cade Cunningham and Jaylen Brown as his top two MVP candidates!
Nikola Jokic Gives Jaylen Brown His Flowers
Seeing that he’s a multi-time All-Star and former Finals MVP, Brown playing at a high level isn’t shocking to anyone. That said, in light of the team’s current situation, the versatile forward has received endless praise for being “the guy” for Boston on a nightly basis.
While speaking with the media during All-Star weekend, three-time MVP Nikola Jokic was asked his thoughts on Brown’s play this season. The Denver Nuggets big man had nothing but good things to say about him carrying the extra load amid Tatum being sidelined.
“He don’t have his partner in crime and he’s still proving that he can lead the team,” Jokic said of Brown. “He’s playing at a high level. Scoring the ball, and he’s such a good defensive player.”
Brown has the counting stats and the strong story to push him into the MVP mix. Only time will tell if he convinces voters enough to raise him up their ballots when it comes time to make an official decision.