Jaylen Brown, Celtics, NBA MVP, Jaylen Brown MVP
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Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics watches warmups before a game against the Miami Heat at the TD Garden on February 06, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts.
The Boston Celtics reached 40 wins on Sunday night with a 114-98 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden. The win pushed Boston’s record to 40-20 and kept them in second place in the Eastern Conference.
Neemias Queta dominated on both ends of the floor. He finished with 27 points and 17 rebounds, including 10 offensive boards that gave Boston extra possessions throughout the night. Jaylen Brown matched Queta’s scoring total with 27 points of his own.
After the game, Brown talked with NBC’s Zora Stephenson about how far this team has come. His message was direct.
What Brown Said After the Game
The Celtics have faced Philadelphia multiple times this season. Sunday’s game was their final regular season matchup. Brown made clear that the team taking the floor now looks nothing like the one the Sixers saw earlier in the year at TD.
“We’re a different team than when we played them earlier this season,” Brown said. “We’ve grown, a lot of our players have improved. We are playing good basketball right now.”
The growth Brown described has been gradual but unmistakable. Boston started the season with a lot of new faces trying to find their roles. The identity was unclear.
Brown expanded on that evolution during his postgame interview with CLNS Media.
“I think our identity definitely feels like it’s formulated,” Brown said. “Early in the season we were kind of figuring things out, trying to find an identity with this new group of guys that were playing large minutes. We started to get going and then a couple guys are no longer on the team. So and then we get Vucevic. So now our identity kind of shifts a little bit again.”
The constant adjustments could have derailed a team. Instead, Boston has found a way to make it work. The offense flows. The ball moves. Players are stepping up when their number gets called.
“I think we’ve done a good job of just being unselfish and playing Celtic basketball,” Brown said. “I think we’re starting to figure it out. Tonight was a team win. Everybody did their part and that’s how you know when you’re doing that, it makes you a lot more dangerous.”
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“We’ve grown, a lot of our players have improved. We are playing good basketball right now.”
Jaylen Brown talks with Zora Stephenson after the Celtics win over the 76ers!
What Queta’s Performance Shows
Queta finished with 27 points and 17 rebounds in 27 minutes. He shot 10-of-14 from the field. Ten of those rebounds came on the offensive glass, giving the Celtics extra possessions when they needed them most.
Brown has watched Queta’s progression all season. The conversations between them are constant. Encouragement. Feedback. Pushing him to reach the next level. Sunday night showed what happens when all that work comes together.
“I’m very pleased just to see his progression,” Brown said. “He’s been working hard all season long. We’ve been in his ear talking to him. He’s done a good job this year. I think he has another level he can tap into. And I feel like he’s starting to tap into that next level.”
Philadelphia’s defense gave Queta opportunities. Andre Drummond stepped up on ball screens, leaving the paint exposed. Boston kept finding Queta in those spots. He kept converting.
“Their big was up on those screens so those seams were open,” Brown explained. “We just gave him the ball and trusted him to make the right decision every time. He was able to get it going.”
The trust Brown described goes both ways. Queta has earned it through his work and consistency. Brown sees a player who still hasn’t reached his ceiling. That’s what makes Queta’s development important for Boston’s championship hopes.
The Depth That Defines This Celtics Team
Derrick White contributed 21 points and 8 assists in the win. Baylor Scheierman played through a fractured thumb and finished with 12 points while posting a plus-15 rating. Nikola Vucevic had another strong showing off the bench.
The offense is clicking at the right time. Brown pointed to the ball movement as a reason for Boston’s recent offensive success. The ball moves side to side without sticking. Players find advantages and attack them rather than forcing individual matchups. ‘Mazzulla Ball’ in full flow.
“A lot of our guys are playing well right now,” Brown said. “No need to force anything. Just continue to create an advantage and play from there and trust the game after that.”
The Milwaukee Bucks are up next for the Celtics.
Jaylen Brown, Joe Mazzulla, Celtics
GettyJaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics talks with head coach Joe Mazzulla.
Final Word for the Celtics
Jaylen Brown delivered a strong message after Sunday’s win over Philadelphia. This is not the same team the Sixers faced earlier in the season. Boston has grown. Players have improved. The identity that seemed unclear in October has taken shape.
The evolution happened through roster changes, injuries, and constant adjustments. New players arrived. Roles shifted. The team had to figure out who they were.
They figured it out. Queta is dominating in the paint. White is running the offense. Brown is carrying the scoring load. The depth is there. Forty wins. Second in the East. A roster that believes in what they’re building.
Brown’s message wasn’t complicated. It was honest. They’re different now. They’ve grown.
The Celtics are playing good basketball right now.