Celtics Star Jaylen Brown Inspired by Unrivaled 1-on-1 Tournament

Brown challenges NBA All-Stars to 1-on-1 matchups after watching Unrivaled's elite WNBA competition

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown has become a big fan of Unrivaled's annual 1-on-1 basketball tournament featuring top WNBA talent. Impressed by the tournament's 'make-it-take-it' format that showcases players' all-around skills, Brown has now issued challenges to several NBA All-Stars, including Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Brunson, and Donovan Mitchell, to compete in 1-on-1 matchups.

Why it matters

Unrivaled's 1-on-1 tournament has drawn praise for its fast-paced, high-intensity format that puts players' individual skills on full display. Brown's interest and challenges to other NBA stars could help generate renewed excitement around the NBA's own All-Star weekend events, which have seen declining viewership in recent years.

The details

Unrivaled's second annual 1-on-1 tournament tipped off this week, featuring 32 elite WNBA players competing for a $300,000 prize pool. The tournament's 'make-it-take-it' rules create nonstop action and showcase players' offensive and defensive abilities. Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown has been closely following the tournament, calling it a 'big fan' and praising the 'purity of the game' it represents. Inspired by the tournament, Brown has now challenged several NBA All-Stars, including Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Brunson, and Donovan Mitchell, to 1-on-1 matchups.

  • Unrivaled's second annual 1-on-1 tournament tipped off on Wednesday, February 15, 2026.

The players

Jaylen Brown

A star player for the Boston Celtics in the NBA.

Luka Doncic

An NBA All-Star player for the Dallas Mavericks.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

An NBA All-Star player for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Jalen Brunson

An NBA All-Star player for the New York Knicks.

Donovan Mitchell

An NBA All-Star player for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

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What they’re saying

“I actually love watching. It reminds of the purity of the game.”

— Jaylen Brown (Yahoo Sports)

“You can do it like boxing, call the guy out, challenge some people. There's some people I'd love to challenge. Some people that's here this weekend I'd love to challenge. All of them, Luka, Shai, Brunson, Donovan. I challenge all them guys 1-on-1.”

— Jaylen Brown (Yahoo Sports)

What’s next

It remains to be seen if the NBA will take a cue from Unrivaled's 1-on-1 tournament format and incorporate more individual competitions into its All-Star weekend events in an effort to boost declining viewership.

The takeaway

Unrivaled's 1-on-1 tournament has captured the attention of NBA stars like Jaylen Brown, who see the format as a way to showcase players' individual skills and potentially reinvigorate interest in the NBA's own All-Star festivities.