This past Friday, Jaylen Brown let the world know that he wasn’t happy with getting overlooked for the Eastern Conference Player of the Month award. When he hit the hardcourt just a day after, Brown was clearly motivated to prove that he is one of the elite players that the NBA has to offer.
As the Boston Celtics squared off against the LA Clippers on Saturday night, fans and critics alike bore witness to a masterful performance from Brown, who tied his career high by exploding for 50 points in his team’s 146-115 win. After the game, the former Finals MVP stated a claim that his numbers could readily back up.
I believe I’m the best two-way player in the world. I just wanted to come out and show that.
Jaylen Brown after guarding Kawhi Leonard tonight and dropping 50 points:
“I believe I’m the best two-way player in the world. I just wanted to come out and show that.”
(Q: @GwashburnGlobe) pic.twitter.com/AZ3rR85AWK
— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) January 4, 2026
On the offensive end, no one on the Clippers lineup could slow down Jaylen Brown, who went 18-for-26 from the field and made six of his 10 shots from deep. Sending the four-time All-Star to the foul line was not a sound decision, either, as Brown converted on eight of his 10 free throws.
Refusing to hit the brakes on the other end of the floor, the 6-foot-6 wing took up the challenge of defending both Kawhi Leonard and James Harden. Thanks in part to Brown’s hustle, Leonard shot just 6-for-17 from the field and Harden missed all but one of his six outside attempts.
Aside from matching or even surpassing the numbers posted by Jalen Brunson, who was named Eastern Conference Player of the Month, Jaylen Brown now has one strong piece of evidence to bolster his case as a top-tier player in the NBA.
“I’m Happy He’s Disappointed in It”: Joe Mazzulla Reacts to Jaylen Brown’s Player of the Month Snub
Prior to the Saturday night showdown at Intuit Dome, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla framed Brown’s dismay at the Player of the Month snub as a positive thing in the long run.
I’m happy he’s disappointed in it…I hope he takes it out on our opponents for the next month.
With All-Star weekend just around the corner, Jaylen Brown appears to be heading towards a fifth appearance. Under the new “US vs. The World” format, it’s looking likely that Brown will join the American contingent that will take on the likes of Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Victor Wembanyama.
