Jaylen Brown, Stephen A. Smith
Boston faces another measuring-stick game Thursday night when Boston Celtics host Oklahoma City Thunder, and for Jaylen Brown, the spotlight carries extra weight after an abrupt exit earlier this week.
Brown lost a major national stage Tuesday when officials tossed him during Boston’s 125-116 loss to San Antonio Spurs after two technical fouls in the second quarter. That moment immediately became part of the conversation on First Take, where Stephen A. Smith argued the ejection cost Brown a critical MVP showcase, per NESN.
Smith did not hide how much he believes Thursday matters.
“He’s got to show up tonight for the purposes specifically of the MVP award,” Smith said. “Tonight is the most important game of Jaylen Brown’s season.”
He followed that with an even stronger declaration.
“I am going to do everything in my power to give him all benefit of the doubt to capture league MVP… he’s not going to be robbed if I have anything to say about it.”
Stephen A. Smith Sees Brown as a Serious MVP Name
While sportsbooks still place Shai Gilgeous-Alexander far ahead of the field, Smith continues to frame Brown as a legitimate candidate because of how he has carried Boston during stretches without Jayson Tatum.
He also tied Brown’s candidacy to what he sees as a larger issue, recognition.
“Jaylen Brown is a really, really good dude who has been underappreciated in terms of notoriety for years,” Smith said. “He is a guy that is a conscientious observer. He is a highly, highly intellectual dude that’s very philanthropic and charitable with his community.”
That praise came after Smith criticized the officiating from Tuesday night and suggested Brown still does not receive the same benefit of the doubt as some other stars across the league.
Brown enters the matchup averaging 28.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 5.1 assists, while Gilgeous-Alexander arrives with 31.7 points per game and another dominant season that has pushed Oklahoma City Thunder to the top tier of the West.
Jaylen Brown Says MVP Standards Keep Moving
Brown recently addressed the race himself during an appearance on the the Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady podcast, Cousins, where he explained why the award feels increasingly difficult to define.
“Oh, it would be cool. It would be nice. But in terms of like, winning an MVP versus winning the championship, it’s a big gap for me,” Brown said. “I’d rather play for another championship. But it would be nice. That’s not in my control.”
He then pointed directly at what frustrates him most.
“I feel like I fit the criteria,” Brown said. “I’ve been able to shoulder that and also help lead my team to where we are now.”
“But people constantly just move the bar. Now we fast forward, and now I don’t have enough to fit the criteria. So I probably never will. No matter what.”
Thursday now gives Brown another chance to answer that debate, directly across from the player many expect to finish ahead of everyone. If the Celtics can grab a victory behind a masterclass from Brown, the MVP convo has the potential to shift incredibly.