Boston Celtics
“I don’t know, this whole MVP thing, I don’t understand why his name is not getting talked about some as well.”
Jaylen Brown Photo by: Barry Chin/Globe Staff
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Jaylen Brown has entered the fringe of the MVP discussion, and Lakers star LeBron James said he’s not sure why Brown’s MVP candidacy is not being taken more seriously.
With the Celtics second in the Eastern Conference and Brown averaging 29.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.9 assists, the Celtics star has climbed just outside of the top-five of the MVP race.
He’s trailing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, Cade Cunningham, Victor Wembanyama, and Luka Doncic.
“He’s playing great basketball,” James said after the Celtics beat the Lakers Sunday night. “I don’t know, this whole MVP thing, I don’t understand why his name is not getting talked about some as well. Nobody gave them a shot to start the season and he’s averaging just under 30. It’s a popularity contest sometimes, I’ll tell you.”
James shrugged when asked whether he believed Brown could actually win MVP. The Lakers star won the award four times, most recently in 2013.
“That’s not for me,” James said. “I’m going to be honest, I don’t know the criteria of MVP anymore. I stopped giving a damn about it a long time ago, I’ve got my own personal issues about it.”
LeBron James makes a case for Jaylen Brown for MVP and says that his relationship with Brown “will be all right” after Brown went on social media to offer support for Bronny James after he had been caught on camera at a Summer League game questioning James’ son’s game. pic.twitter.com/tI7wy5wE6E
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) February 23, 2026
While he has yet to win the NBA MVP, Brown has an NBA Finals MVP award under his belt for his performance in the championship round against Dallas two years ago.
The Celtics were expected to undergo some sort of a rebuilding year with Jayson Tatum missing the bulk of the regular-season following an Achilles’ injury, along with the team moving on from several big names in free agency.
But, with more than half of the season in the books, the Celtics find themselves in the mix as playoff contenders. If the season ended today, they’d be set to host a playoff series at TD Garden.
James said the lack of expectations for the Celtics this year seem to be fueling Brown’s performance.
“I think he’s just using the motivation of a lot of people saying that they’re going to have a down year,” James said. “Obviously because of [Jayson Tatum] being out, them losing Jrue [Holiday], Al [Horford] leaves, [Kristaps] Porzingis leaves, and their whole championship team is pretty much kind of revamped. “
“He’s using it as motivation to keep them afloat, they’re playing great basketball because of him and the rest of those guys. He’s taken that next step.”
Khari A. Thompson
Khari Thompson covers professional sports for Boston.com. Before joining the team in 2022, Khari covered college football for The Clarion Ledger in Jackson, Miss.
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