Jaylen Brown Gives Honest Take on NBA MVP Race

Boston Celtics star weighs in on his chances of winning the league's top individual honor.

Mar. 11, 2026 at 11:26pm

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Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown shared his thoughts on the NBA's ongoing Most Valuable Player award race, acknowledging that he feels he fits the criteria for the award but believes the bar is constantly being moved when it comes to winning MVP. Despite being ranked sixth on the latest NBA MVP Ladder, Brown remains optimistic about his chances as the Celtics continue to succeed in his teammate Jayson Tatum's absence.

Why it matters

As one of the league's rising stars, Brown's comments provide insight into the mindset of a player who believes he deserves to be in the MVP conversation, even as other high-profile candidates jockey for the award. Brown's candidacy also highlights the Celtics' ability to remain a top contender in the Eastern Conference despite key injuries, underscoring his value to the team.

The details

With Jayson Tatum sidelined for much of the season, Jaylen Brown has stepped up, averaging a career-high 28.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 5.1 assists over 58 games. Brown's strong play has helped the Celtics maintain their position near the top of the Eastern Conference standings, making him a serious MVP candidate. However, Brown believes the criteria for the award is constantly shifting, making it difficult for him to ever fully meet the expectations.

  • Jaylen Brown made his comments in a recent episode of the 'Cousins with Vince Carter & Tracy McGrady' podcast.
  • Brown is currently ranked sixth on the latest NBA MVP Ladder, behind players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, and Luka Doncic.

The players

Jaylen Brown

A star player for the Boston Celtics who is having a career-best season, averaging 28.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game.

Jayson Tatum

Brown's teammate on the Boston Celtics, who has been sidelined for much of the season, allowing Brown to take on a larger role and make a case for the MVP award.

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What they’re saying

“I feel like I fit the criteria for it. Especially what people were saying about me before the season, that I couldn't do it or I wasn't capable of being this or being that. I've been able to kind of shoulder that and then also help lead my team to where we're at now, but people constantly just move the bar... I probably never will (fit the criteria to be MVP), no matter what I do.”

— Jaylen Brown (Cousins with Vince Carter & Tracy McGrady)

What’s next

The majority of the players ahead of Brown on the MVP Ladder are within six games of facing ineligibility for the award, which is based on a 65-game minimum. Brown will need to continue his strong play and help the Celtics secure a top seed in the Eastern Conference to strengthen his case for the MVP award.

The takeaway

Jaylen Brown's honest assessment of his MVP chances highlights the challenges faced by players who may not fit the traditional mold of an MVP candidate, even as they produce at an elite level and lead their teams to success. Brown's comments underscore the subjective nature of the award and the need for a more transparent and consistent evaluation process.