Jaylen Brown didn’t need a long explanation to make his feelings clear. After the NBA revealed its Player of the Month winners for December, the Boston Celtics star reacted with a blunt, one-word response that quickly caught fans’ attention. While Jalen Brunson claimed the Eastern Conference honor, Brown’s understated reaction suggested he felt strongly snubbed.
Jaylen Brown’s 1-Word Reaction Goes Viral After Player of the Month Snub
The NBA announced its December Player of the Month winners on Friday, Jan. 2, naming Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as the Western Conference winner and New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson as the Eastern Conference recipient.
Shortly after the announcement, Brown tagged the NBA’s official post on X and simply wrote:
“Smh.”
That brief ‘Shaking My Head’ response spoke volumes. Brown, who has been the Celtics’ de facto scoring leader this season with Jayson Tatum sidelined, appeared unconvinced by the league’s decision to award Brunson over him.
The NBA’s post read:
The @Kia NBA Players of the Month for December!
West: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (@okcthunder)
East: Jalen Brunson (@nyknicks)
— Jaylen Brown (@FCHWPO) January 2, 2026
While Brunson’s selection drew praise across the league, Brown’s reaction highlighted that not everyone agreed with the outcome.
Brown’s Frustration Is Understandable
Statistically, Brown made a compelling case for the award. In December, he averaged 31.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game, shooting an ultra-efficient 53.8% from the field, 42.6% from three, and 79.3% from the free-throw line. The Celtics went 9-3 during the month, with Brown starring as the team’s primary offensive option.
The Celtics played 12 games in December, and Brown featured in all but two, consistently carrying the scoring load in Tatum’s absence. He also earned Eastern Conference Player of the Week honors twice during the month, further strengthening his résumé.
To be fair, Brunson was outstanding as well. The Knicks guard averaged 30.6 points, 7.1 assists, and 3.2 rebounds. At the same time, New York posted a 10–4 record. However, when the two teams met on Dec. 2, Brown clearly outshone Brunson, erupting for a season-high 42 points in Boston’s 123–117 win.
Despite being a four-time All-Star, Brown has never won a Player of the Month award. He remains on track for what would be the fifth All-Star selection of his career, and his form hasn’t slowed down. Boston opened January with a win over the Sacramento Kings, with Brown adding 29 points.
The Celtics have a busy month ahead of them. With 15 games scheduled in January, Brown will have plenty of chances to turn December’s frustration into motivation, and possibly finally claim that elusive Player of the Month honor.
