Jaylen Brown is having a monster season for the Celtics, but rewind to All-Star Weekend 2024, and it was a different kind of spotlight he found himself under - the dunk contest. In what was his third All-Star appearance, Brown took a swing at the event and ended up finishing second behind Mac McClung. But the story that’s stuck with fans isn’t about who won - it’s about how things went down.
Recently, Brown joined teammate Derrick White on the White Noise podcast and opened up about the experience, with his usual blend of honesty and humor. And let’s just say, he didn’t hold back when it came to one particular teammate.
“When I was practicing, I had a professional passer-somebody who got the timing right,” Brown said. “And then, you know who threw my pass?
JT. Terrible decision.”
That’s right - Jayson Tatum, one of the league’s smoothest forwards and a guy known for making the right reads on the court, apparently didn’t deliver when it came time to toss a lob in the dunk contest. “He threw the pass and it wasn’t a good pass.
It just looked bad. It happens…”
Brown went on to joke about the viral nature of the whole thing. “The caveat was that it was one of the most-viewed dunk contests in history, for the wrong reasons.
I had the most clips, I had the most… Everybody was sharing.” And in maybe the most relatable moment of the story, he shared a quick exchange with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after the event.
“Adam actually thanked me. He came to the locker room after the dunk contest.
I was like, ‘Adam, get out of my face.’”
It’s classic JB - self-aware, sharp, and not afraid to poke fun at himself or his teammates. And while the dunk contest didn’t exactly go as planned, Brown’s approach was different.
He tried to bring some storytelling to the dunks - a creative angle that didn’t necessarily showcase the full scope of his athleticism, but still gave fans something unique to talk about. And talk they did.
The clips flooded social media, and whether people were impressed or amused, Brown was at the center of the conversation.
The fact that he shared the moment with Tatum - even if the pass didn’t go quite as planned - adds another layer to the dynamic between the Celtics’ two stars. Tatum, who’s developed into one of the better passing forwards in the league, took some friendly fire here, but it’s all in good fun. It also speaks to the chemistry and camaraderie that’s helped drive Boston’s success in recent years.
Fast forward to now, and Brown is playing some of the best basketball of his career. He’s averaging 29.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5 assists per game, shooting an efficient 50% from the field and 36.5% from three.
With Tatum sidelined due to an Achilles injury, Brown has stepped into the lead role - and he’s thriving. He’s not just filling in; he’s commanding the offense, taking over games, and reminding everyone why he’s one of the most explosive scorers in the league.
He’s on pace to earn his fifth All-Star nod - and his fourth in a row - which is no small feat in a league stacked with elite wing talent. But more than the accolades, what stands out is how Brown is carrying himself. Confident, composed, and clearly enjoying the ride.
For Celtics fans, the dunk contest moment is just another chapter in the Jaylen Brown story - one that continues to evolve. And if this version of Brown is what Boston is getting heading into the second half of the season, they’ve got every reason to feel optimistic. Once Tatum returns, this duo - full of talent, trust, and a little bit of playful banter - will be ready to chase the banner they’ve been building toward for years.