Stephen A. Smith Touts Jaylen Brown as MVP Contender Before Celtics-Spurs

ESPN analyst believes Celtics forward could overtake Nikola Jokic for second in MVP race with strong performances this week.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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ESPN's Stephen A. Smith believes Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown is a top-two candidate for the NBA MVP award, and could potentially overtake Nikola Jokic for the second spot behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Smith says Brown's performances in upcoming games against the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder will be crucial in determining if he can make a push for the MVP.

Why it matters

The MVP race has largely been seen as a two-man battle between Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic, but Smith believes Brown deserves more consideration. If Brown can lead the Celtics to wins over the Spurs and Thunder this week, it could shake up the MVP landscape and thrust him into the conversation.

The details

Smith says that if Brown can "bust" the Spurs and Thunder this week, "we're gonna have a nip and tuck MVP race." He notes that if Brown outperforms Gilgeous-Alexander in their matchup, it will force people to "pause and look at this, because it's a different day." However, Smith acknowledges that even with strong performances, it would be difficult for Brown to overtake Gilgeous-Alexander, who has put together an impressive season-long body of work for the Thunder.

  • The Celtics and Spurs will play on Tuesday, March 10.
  • The Celtics and Thunder will play on Thursday, March 12.

The players

Jaylen Brown

A forward for the Boston Celtics who is averaging 28.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game this season.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

A guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder who is averaging 31.7 points, 6.6 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game and is considered the frontrunner for the NBA MVP award.

Nikola Jokic

A center for the Denver Nuggets who is also in the MVP conversation, averaging a triple-double this season.

Stephen A. Smith

An ESPN analyst who believes Jaylen Brown should be considered a top-two MVP candidate.

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What they’re saying

“'Jaylen Brown is a top-two candidate for league MVP,'”

— Stephen A. Smith, ESPN Analyst (ESPN)

“'When you roll up in the San Antonio, and when you roll up in the Oklahoma City, what you gonna do?'”

— Stephen A. Smith, ESPN Analyst (ESPN)

“'If it's nip and tuck, we're gonna have a nip and tuck MVP race. If Shai Butter goes out there and busts Boston's you know what? That's a problem. If Jaylen Brown goes out there with Boston and busts Shai in Oklahoma City, you know what we're gonna be like? Oh, damn. We got to pause and look at this, because it's a different day.'”

— Stephen A. Smith, ESPN Analyst (ESPN)

What’s next

The Celtics and Thunder will meet on Thursday, March 12, which could be a key game in determining the MVP race if Brown outperforms Gilgeous-Alexander.

The takeaway

While Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic have been the frontrunners for MVP, Stephen A. Smith believes Jaylen Brown deserves more consideration and could insert himself into the conversation with strong performances against the Spurs and Thunder this week.