Jaylen Brown is making a strong case for MVP consideration as the Boston Celtics continue to exceed expectations without Jayson Tatum.
With Tatum sidelined for the season after suffering an Achilles rupture during the 2025 NBA Playoffs, Brown has taken full control of Boston’s offense and leadership responsibilities.
Jaylen Brown Earns Praise from Celtics Legends
On Saturday, Jan. 17, Brown delivered another statement performance. He poured in 41 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, and dished out 2 assists in just 30 minutes of action.
That effort helped the Celtics secure another win and improve to 26-15 on the season, good for second place in the Eastern Conference.
Brown’s recent surge has not gone unnoticed by Celtics legends. On the KGCertified YouTube podcast, former Boston greats Tony Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Paul Pierce all praised Brown for his elevated play and impact.
“Shout out Jaylen Brown, MVP candidate,” Allen said.
Garnett followed by pushing Brown firmly into the league’s top tier. “Put him on the list. Nobody had Boston in nothing,” Garnett said, referencing how many doubted the Celtics after Tatum’s injury.
Pierce went even further with his assessment. “I got him No. 2 in the East. I got him number two on the MVP list right now,” Pierce said, making it clear that Brown’s season deserves serious recognition.
Those comments reflect a broader shift in perception around the Celtics. When Tatum went down with a torn Achilles on May 12, 2025, during a playoff game against the New York Knicks, many assumed Boston would fall out of the title picture. Instead, Brown has kept the Celtics competitive and firmly in the playoff race this season.
The 29-year-old is enjoying the best statistical season of his career. Brown is averaging 29.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game, along with one steal. He is shooting 49.1% from the field and 36.7% from three-point range. For comparison, his career scoring average entering this season was 19.6 points per game.
Brown has also delivered several standout scoring nights. On Jan. 3, he matched his career high with a 50-point performance against the Los Angeles Clippers, reinforcing his ability to carry the offense against elite competition.
Former Celtic Kendrick Perkins has previously named Brown as the leading MVP candidate. In the first episode of NBA Countdown in 2026, Perkins said Brown’s current level of play surpasses nearly everyone in the league.
He stated that no other player, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokić, or Jalen Brunson, is performing at the same level as Brown right now.
Beyond the numbers, Brown has become the clear focal point of Boston’s attack. He leads the team in scoring and has embraced the pressure of being the primary option. The results have been steady, with the Celtics posting a 7-3 record over their last 10 games.
The Celtics will be on the court against the Detroit Pistons (30-10) on Monday, Jan. 19, and Brown will undoubtedly be at the helm of Boston’s offense.
