While most of the NBA took a breather over All-Star Weekend, Jaylen Brown was right in the thick of the action - and not just as a participant, but as a key contributor in the league’s brand-new All-Star format.
The Celtics star suited up for his fifth career All-Star appearance, representing Team USA Stripes in the debut of the NBA’s revamped, round-robin All-Star tournament. And while the format may have changed, Brown’s competitive edge certainly didn’t.
Breaking Down the New Format
Let’s start with the structure. This year, the NBA ditched the traditional East vs.
West (and even the Team LeBron vs. Team Giannis-style drafts of recent years) in favor of a three-team, round-robin tournament.
Here’s how it worked:
- Three teams: USA Stripes (veterans like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Jaylen Brown), USA Stars (younger standouts like Anthony Edwards and Cade Cunningham), and World (international players).
- Each team played two 12-minute games against the other two squads.
- The top two teams by record - with point differential as the tiebreaker - advanced to the championship game.
It was a fresh twist on the All-Star experience, and Brown wasted no time making his presence felt.
Game 2: Brown Sets the Tone
Brown’s first action came in Game 2, when USA Stripes squared off against USA Stars. And in a game filled with highlight-reel moments, Brown was right at the center of it.
He poured in a team-high 11 points, accounting for more than a quarter of the Stripes’ total in their 42-40 win. He was efficient, aggressive, and versatile - getting buckets at all three levels. Brown threw down a pair of emphatic dunks, drilled a three over Chet Holmgren, and got to work in the midrange, showing off the kind of shot-making that’s become a staple of his game in Boston.
The finish? Pure chaos.
With the Stripes trailing in the final seconds, De’Aaron Fox buried a buzzer-beating three to seal the win. It was the kind of wild ending that made this new format feel like more than just an exhibition.
Game 3: Defense Wins the Day
Brown’s scoring cooled off in Game 3, but his impact didn’t. He went scoreless in just under eight minutes of action, missing all three of his shots, but his defensive presence stood out.
He recorded a steal and two blocks, including a clutch swat on Jamal Murray in the closing moments. While Kawhi Leonard stole the show with a jaw-dropping 31-point performance in front of his home crowd, Brown’s two-way effort helped the Stripes edge the World team 48-45 and punch their ticket to the championship.
Championship Game: Cold Night, Hot Start from Stars
The final game was a rematch between Stripes and Stars - but this time, the young guns flipped the script.
USA Stars jumped out to a 12-1 lead and never looked back, cruising to a 47-21 win to take the title. Brown led the Stripes in shot attempts with 10, but couldn’t find the range, finishing with just four points on 2-of-10 shooting, including 0-for-7 from three.
It wasn’t the sharpest shooting night for Brown, but the effort was there. He added two rebounds and an assist, continuing to contribute in other areas despite the tough offensive outing.
Final Tally: A Mixed Bag, But Solid Impact
Over the course of three mini-games (each 12 minutes long), Brown wrapped up the night with:
- 15 points
- 3 rebounds
- 2 assists
- 3 blocks
- 1 steal
He shot 7-for-22 from the field overall, but his 11-point outburst in Game 2 was instrumental in getting the Stripes to the championship. And while his shot didn’t fall in the final, his defensive energy and willingness to compete on both ends stood out - especially in a setting that doesn’t always reward effort plays.
What’s Next
With All-Star Weekend in the rearview, Brown and the Celtics will return to action Thursday night in Golden State, where they’ll face some familiar faces in Al Horford and Kristaps Porziņģis. Tip-off is set for 10 p.m. ET.
For now, Brown can head back to Boston knowing he left his mark on an All-Star Weekend that brought a fresh twist - and a reminder that even in a showcase, he’s going to bring it on both ends.