The NBA MVP race looked for much of the first half of the season like another two-man battle between Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic. The odds indicate it might still be, but count LeBron James among those who don't think so.
After the Los Angeles Lakers' loss to the Boston Celtics on Sunday, James came away convinced the most worthy candidate for MVP was on the floor with him, backing Celtics star Jaylen Brown for the award.
Brown, who has the Celtics near the top of the East despite Jayson Tatum missing the entire season to this point, put up 32 points, eight rebounds and seven assists against the Lakers on the road.
Here's a look at the praise James had for Brown after Sunday's game.
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LeBron James endorses Jaylen Brown for MVP
James had high praise for Brown after the Lakers suffered a 111-89 loss to the Celtics, telling reporters that he believes the All-Star should be a legitimate MVP candidate.
"This whole MVP thing, I don't understand why his name is not getting talked about some as well," James said. "Like, nobody gave them a shot to start the season. And he's averaging what, 30? Just under 30? It's a popularity contest sometimes, I tell you."
James gave Brown credit for not only keeping his own head up after the Celtics stripped down their roster in the offseason, but also for making the younger players around him better.
"The whole championship team pretty much is kind of revamped, and he used it as motivation to keep them afloat," James said. "They're playing great basketball, and it's because of him and the rest of those guys. He's taken that next step."
The Celtics are 37-19 on the season despite losing Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford in addition to missing Tatum as he recovers from a torn Achilles. Tatum's return could some soon, though the All-Star hasn't definitively said that he will be back this season.
Had the Celtics struggled this season, Tatum might have pushed his return off until next season. Instead, Boston looks like it has a legitimate chance to contend in the East. Much of that is owed to Brown, who is averaging career-highs across the board with 29.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game while shooting more efficiently than he did last season.
Still, Brown is fifth or sixth in MVP odds at most sportsbooks, trailing Gilgeous-Alexander, Jokic, Cade Cunningham, Victor Wembanyama and, in some cases, Luka Doncic. With 26 games remaining, there is still some time for Brown to make a late surge — and he has a vocal supporter in James.
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LeBron James clears air on Jaylen Brown’s Bronny comments
Brown made some headlines in 2024 when cameras appeared to capture him saying Bronny James isn't "a pro" during the NBA Summer League, but the elder James says that is water under the bridge.
"Our relationship has been very disrespectful, besides that s— he said about Bronny at Summer League," James joked.
LeBron James to me on the “s*** (Jaylen) said about Bronny,” their relationship and why he thinks Jaylen should be a real MVP candidate: pic.twitter.com/vBfn8cO1EE
— Bobby Manning (@RealBobManning) February 23, 2026
Asked whether he and Brown have been able to get past that moment, James smiled and said, "We'll be alright."
"He went on social media and said something about it, it's all good. Bronny got a long way to go, but that's another story," James told reporters.
What did Jaylen Brown say about Bronny James?
Sitting with then-girlfriend Kysre Gondrezick and Angel Reese, Brown was caught appearing to say, "I don't think Bronny is a pro," while attending a Summer League game in 2024.
Jaylen Brown said “I don’t think Bronny is a pro” 😳 pic.twitter.com/ywavJ4mzMU
— BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) July 16, 2024
Brown didn't deny that he said it but took the high road, tweeting, "Bronny has all the tools around him to be successful. I look forward to watching his growth," the morning after the clip went viral.