Boston Celtics
“The analytics don’t quantify who I am and [what] my spirit is.”
Jaylen Brown is averaging 28.8 points per game this season. Barry Chin/The Boston Globe
Jaylen Brown’s numbers speak for themselves.
Tasked with keeping the Celtics afloat this season following both Jayson Tatum’s extended rehab from a ruptured Achilles and several offseason departures, Brown made the most of the opportunity in front of him.
Not only is Brown averaging a career-best 28.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game, he has also helped the Celtics retain their standing as a legitimate contender in 2025-26. Boston is sitting second in the Eastern Conference with a 54-26 record and the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Given both his individual stats, the Celtics’ team-wide standing, and the promise of a deep playoff run now with Tatum back in the fold, Brown has a legitimate case as NBA MVP during the 2025-26 campaign.
But, during a video feature on ESPN, Brown was candid when NBA reporter Ramona Shelburne asked him if he deserves MVP honors this season.
“Analytically, probably not — honestly,” Brown said. “But I put my blood, sweat and tears into this season — on the court from a performance standpoint, what my team needs me to do on both ends of the court, and then also from a leadership standpoint.
“Galvanizing guys, getting everybody on the same page in the midst of uncertainty to help keep us in contention at the top of the league. The analytics don’t quantify who I am and [what] my spirit is.”
Jaylen Brown to @ramonashelburne on if he believes he’s the NBA MVP:
“Analytically probably not honestly. But I put my blood, sweat & tears into this season … also from a leadership standpoint. Galvanizing guys, getting everybody on the same page in the midst of uncertainty to… pic.twitter.com/PO3K7jcHgw
— Celtics on CLNS (@CelticsCLNS) April 9, 2026
According to FanDuel Sportsbook, Brown is not one of the favorites to take home the annual honor, with the Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (-7000), Victor Wembanyama (+3330), and Nikola Jokic (+7500) leading the charge.
Still, Brown stressed that he’s had few regrets over how this season has gone — especially with the postseason right around the corner.
“I feel like I prepared for this year in a great way, with just getting my body ready coming off of knee surgery,” Brown told Shelburne. “One of my toxic traits is that I have a hard time letting people see me weak, like I kind of isolated myself from my family and my friends.
“[I] went to another level mentally in order to prepare myself for what was in front of me. It was a rebuild, right? Maybe not from a mindset and organizational standpoint, but I also looked at it as an opportunity to show the world who I am and what I could possibly do.”
Even if the odds don’t favor Brown when it comes to the MVP race, he has had several prominent names in his corner — including Paul Pierce and “Pardon The Interruption” hosts Michael Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser.
“If I had a vote, and I don’t — if I had to vote today, I would vote for Jaylen. … Because Jaylen Brown has been so resolute and dependable in the absence of Jayson Tatum and Boston is in second place in the East,” Kornheiser said. “San Antonio is in second place in the West.
“But what Wembanyama has been doing lately is sort of amazing. … I could be persuaded, because I think the numbers are there [for Wembanyama]. I’m still in the Jaylen Brown camp.”
Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.
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