Jaylen Brown almost had a perfect weekend after being honored with a jersey retirement ceremony at his high school to dropping 41 points against the Atlanta Hawks, getting his fifth All-Star nod and first as a starter, before coming up short in a 104-103 loss to the Detroit Pistons.
On a day where Martin Luther King Jr. was being honored, Brown was taking a midday nap when news broke of being voted as an All-Star starter for the first time in his 10-year NBA career hours before the Celtics were to tip-off against the East leading Pistons and fellow All-Star starter Cade Cunningham on a nationally televised stage.
"I woke up from a nap, and then I had some text messages from loved ones and family," said Brown in his postgame presser. "But I think that's what it matters most for, like my support group. I think it means a lot to them to see me celebrated in that light now."
While Cunningham struggled going 4-of-17 from the field, the now two-time All-Star did register a double-double of 16 points and a game-high 14 assists to help give the Pistons the victory and win their regular season series against Boston 3-1.
Brown, who also recorded his own double-double of 32 points and 11 rebounds (both a game-high), missed two crucial free throws (8-of-10) down the stretch and a potential game winning fadeaway jumper that bounced on the rim twice as time expired.
"It was a great move by Jaylen. It's a shot that he makes, and it just didn't go down," Joe Mazzulla told reporters. "So it was great execution. I'll take that shot 100 times out of 100."
Still, that's a shot that Brown typically knocks down, as he's 45.4% on mid-range attempts per game (five) from eight-plus feet, while connecting on 53.6% on all 2-point field goals this season. Despite it being heavily contested by Tobias Harris, his 14-foot fadeaway in Detroit Monday night -- although a difficult shot -- Brown has been used to making those with ease during his MVP-like run as Boston's main option.
"Last play -- catch, get to a spot, go up -- gotta make a play for your team at the end," Brown said of his last shot attempt. "We had some opportunities -- didn't convert. We still got some room for growth. That's what the regular season is for, so we need to be better."
Brown received the most votes from media members among Eastern Conference players, the third-most from NBA players, and the fifth-most from fans -- giving him the fifth-most votes overall edging out Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell for the final starter spot. The other four that will represent the East in Los Angeles next month are Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey, and of course Pistons guard Cade Cunningham.
When asked what the newly added accolade meant at this point in his career during a season many had written him and the Celtics off due to Jayson Tatum's injury and a handful of roster changes, Brown noted that he's always considered himself one of the top players in the league regardless of being named an All-Star starter or not.
"I've always felt like, regardless of what people may think or whatever, that I've been one of the better players in this game," Brown said of his All-Star starter nod. "Just now, I've got an opportunity to show it a little more."
Though Brown has put up MVP-type averages of 29.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.7 assists, while shooting 48.7% from the field, 36.3% from three, and 79.1% from the free throw line, he doesn't view being named an All-Star starter as a way to validate his 2025-26 campaign.
"I'm a very confident guy," Brown said. "I don't allow other people to tell me what my validation is. I always felt like I was better than a lot of these guys."
Mazulla gave Brown his praises as he has done all season long, believing his leadership began to be felt months prior to training camp and has continued to improve in all facets since.
"Really happy for him," Mazzulla said Monday in his pre-game presser. "It started in the offseason, just the way he approached it, the professionalism, the work ethic, the commitment to 1 - getting healthy, to 2 - coming in and setting the tone for the building and working with each guy separately."
At 26-16, the Celtics have the second-best record in the Eastern Conference and with it being at the mid-point of the regular season, Brown says this roster is just getting started.
"I've enjoyed being with this group, I've enjoyed playing with the young guys, helping with their learning curve," Brown said. "It's been a joy. I'm looking forward to the next part of the season. We still have some work to do."
Brown is listed as probable with some hamstring tightness, when he and the Celtics return home to host the Indiana Pacers Wednesday night at TD Garden.
Joel Pavón
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