Celtics' Jaylen Brown Calls Steph Curry 'Hardest Player to Guard'

Brown says guarding the Warriors star is exhausting due to all the running required.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 1:53pm

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Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown recently admitted that Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry is the most difficult player to defend in the NBA, saying that guarding Curry requires a lot of running that leaves him out of gas afterwards. Brown's comments come after the Celtics defeated the Warriors 120-99 on Wednesday, though Curry missed the game due to a knee injury.

Why it matters

Curry's elite shooting ability and constant movement on the court make him one of the most challenging players to contain in the league. Brown's acknowledgment of the physical toll Curry takes on defenders highlights the superstar's impact on the game and the respect he commands from his peers.

The details

In December, Brown had said Curry would struggle in a one-on-one matchup. However, in a recent interview, Brown changed his tune, calling Curry 'the hardest player' to guard because 'you just gotta do a lot of running.' Brown led the Celtics with 32 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists in their win over the Warriors, who are currently 10th in the Western Conference standings.

  • On Wednesday, the Boston Celtics defeated the Golden State Warriors 120-99.
  • In December, Jaylen Brown said Curry would have a hard time in a one-on-one matchup.
  • Brown's latest comments about Curry being the 'hardest player' to guard came in March 2026.

The players

Jaylen Brown

A star player for the Boston Celtics who recently acknowledged that Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry is the most difficult player to defend in the NBA.

Stephen Curry

The star point guard for the Golden State Warriors, known for his elite shooting ability and constant movement on the court, which makes him one of the most challenging players to contain according to Jaylen Brown.

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What they’re saying

“The hardest player is probably Steph Curry cause you just gotta do a lot of running.”

— Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics Player

What’s next

The Celtics and Warriors are not scheduled to play each other again this regular season, but a potential playoff matchup could give Jaylen Brown another chance to test his skills against Stephen Curry.

The takeaway

Jaylen Brown's acknowledgment of the physical toll required to defend Stephen Curry underscores the Warriors star's status as one of the most dominant and challenging players in the NBA today. This insight from a fellow All-Star highlights Curry's unique impact on the game.