Jaylen Brown has candid answer when asked if he deserves MVP

Jaylen Brown’s numbers speak for themselves.

Tasked with keeping the Celtics afloat this season after Jayson Tatum’s extended rehabilitation from a ruptured Achilles tendon and several offseason departures, Brown has made the most of the opportunity in front of him.

Not only is Brown averaging 28.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game, the best of his career, he has also helped the Celtics maintain their status as a legitimate contender in 2025-26. Boston is second in the Eastern Conference with a 54-26 record and the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Given his individual stats, the Celtics’ team-wide standing, and the promise of a deep playoff run now with Tatum back on the team, Brown has a legitimate case as the NBA’s best player during the 2025-26 campaign.

But during a video on ESPN, Brown was candid when NBA reporter Ramona Shelburne asked him if he deserved the MVP award this season.

“Analytically, probably not, honestly.” Brown said. “But I’m putting my blood, sweat and tears into this season – on the field from a performance standpoint, what my team needs me to do on both ends of the field, and then also from a leadership standpoint.

“Motivating the players, getting everyone on the same page in the midst of uncertainty to help keep us in contention at the top of the league. Analytics does not define who I am and who I am.” [what] “My soul is.”

According to FanDuel SportsbookBrown is not one of the favorites to win the annual honor, as the Thunder are led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (-7000), Viktor Wimpanyama (+3330), and Nikola Jokic (+7500). ​

However, Brown emphasized that he has no regrets about the way this season has gone — especially with the postseason looming.

“I feel like I’ve prepared for this year in a great way, just getting my body ready to come off the knee surgery,” Brown told Shelburne. “One of my toxic traits is that I have a hard time letting people see me as weak, as if I’m isolating myself from my family and friends.

“[I] I went to another level psychologically to prepare myself for what was in front of me. It was a rebuilding process, wasn’t it? Maybe not from a mental or organizational standpoint, but I also looked at it as an opportunity to show the world who I am and what I can do.

Even if the odds were not in Brown’s favor when it came to the MVP race, he had several notable names in his corner — including Paul Pierce and “Pardon The Interruption” hosts Michael Wilpon and Tony Kornheiser.

“If I had a vote, and I didn’t — if I had to vote today, I would vote for Jaylen. … Because Jaylen Brown has been very solid and reliable in the absence of Jayson Tatum and Boston is second in the East,” Kornheiser said. “San Antonio is second in the West.

“But what Wembanyama has been doing recently has been rather astonishing. … I can be persuaded, because I think the numbers are there.” [for Wembanyama]. I’m still in Jaylen Brown’s camp.

Connor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.