Following the Boston Celtics’ 111-89 victory against the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, four-time NBA MVP LeBron James publicly supported Jaylen Brown as a strong contender for this season’s Most Valuable Player award. Brown’s impressive stat line of 32 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, and three steals fueled the Celtics’ win and drew James’ attention amid the intense Boston-L.A. rivalry.
James voiced surprise that Brown’s name is not more prominently discussed in MVP conversations despite averaging nearly 30 points per game. The endorsement highlighted Brown’s candidacy within a competitive league race as the Celtics continue to post one of the top records in the Eastern Conference.
Jaylen Brown’s Career-Best Season Underlines His Value to the Celtics
Heading into Sunday’s matchup, Brown had reached career highs across multiple categories, averaging 29.2 points, seven rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game. His all-around performance has been a critical factor in Boston’s success, especially with key teammates sidelined.
The Celtics currently hold a 37-19 record, the second-best in the Eastern Conference, despite significant roster changes since their 2024 championship campaign. Absences include Jayson Tatum, who is recovering from a torn Achilles, alongside the departures of Jrue Holiday, Al Horford, and Kristaps Porzingis.
James noted Brown’s leadership under challenging circumstances, praising his ability to motivate the team and maintain their competitiveness throughout the season.
LeBron James Highlights Brown’s Role Amid Celtics’ Transition
James emphasized that Brown has propelled the Celtics even as the roster has transformed drastically since last year’s championship team. He credited Brown with using external doubts as fuel to keep the team thriving.
“I think he just used the motivation of a lot of people just saying that they’re going to have a down year,”
James said.
“The whole championship team pretty much is kind of revamped, and he used it as motivation to keep them afloat. They’re playing great basketball, and it’s because of him and the rest of those guys. He’s taken that next step.”
Brown’s emergence as a leader has helped the Celtics sustain high performance despite facing adversity across the roster and injuries to key players.
Jaylen Brown Reflects on His MVP Credentials and Leadership
Brown modestly downplays outside opinions but shared his perspective on what separates him as a player eligible for MVP consideration. He identified himself as a premier two-way player who consistently contributes on both offense and defense while providing leadership that energizes his teammates.
“I feel like I’m the best two-way player in the world,”
Brown declared. “I play both ends on the court. Night to night, I’m available, which is hard to do. I’m a leader. I help lead my team, empower my team to come out and play confidently, stuff that doesn’t always show up on the analytics. And I’m a winner. I come out and try to win every single night. So I’m grateful.”
Brown also expressed reverence for the Celtics-Lakers rivalry and appreciated the weight of LeBron James’ praise.
“It’s an honor to play the Celtics-Lakers rivalry. It’s an honor for LeBron, who’s arguably the best player to ever play the game, giving me some high praise. So, I’m just grateful.”
Reconnecting with LeBron James During the All-Star Weekend
Brown and James, who were teammates on the USA Stripes squad at the recent All-Star event, used the opportunity to revisit a meaningful moment from Brown’s rookie season. Brown recalled how LeBron’s encouragement in his first NBA start had a lasting impact.
“When I first got into the league, my first start was against the Cleveland Cavaliers, and after the game he came up to me and he told me in my ear, ‘You’re going to be an All-Star one day, you’re going to be a great player,'”
Brown recalled.
“So, we talked about that at the All-Star Game. ‘You remember that 10 years ago?’ And he smiles like, ‘Of course, I’m not surprised at anything you’re doing right now. So just keep proving people wrong. Keep doing what you got to do and keep leading your team and people will take notice.'”
Although Brown acknowledged more was said between them, he chose not to disclose all details from their conversation.
Addressing Past Tensions and Mutual Respect Between James and Brown
The relationship between James and Brown has faced some friction, notably stemming from a 2024 Las Vegas Summer League game where Brown was filmed questioning Bronny James’ professional prospects. James addressed the incident candidly while reaffirming their respect for one another.
“Our relationship has been pretty respectful, besides the s— he said about Bronny at summer league,”
James remarked.
“But other than that, other than that we’ve been all right.”
Brown later clarified his stance on Bronny James via social media, acknowledging the significance of having his son in the NBA and expressing optimism about Bronny’s future.
“It’s a flex to have your son alongside you in the NBA. … Bronny has all the tools around him to be successful. I look forward to watching his growth.”
James echoed conciliatory sentiments regarding the situation and praised Brown’s current play.
“I think he went on social media and said something about it,”
James noted.
“It’s all good, but Bronny’s got a long way to go, but that’s another story. But the kid, I mean, listen, JB is doing [great]. S—, he’s playing great basketball, man.”
Implications of James’ Endorsement and Brown’s Rising Profile
LeBron James’ public backing of Jaylen Brown adds a significant voice to the increasingly competitive MVP race in the NBA’s 2025-26 season. With Brown carrying the Celtics through injuries and roster upheavals, his performance has sparked renewed debate around the award as popularity and impact both play crucial roles.
As the playoffs approach, Brown’s ability to sustain his high-level play and continue leading Boston will be pivotal in cementing his MVP case. The endorsement from a player of James’ stature not only enhances Brown’s visibility but also underscores the respect he commands among the league’s elite.
