The Boston Celtics were supposed to take a step back this season. Major roster turnover in the offseason, Jayson Tatum sidelined with an Achilles injury-on paper, this looked like a team in transition.
But 29 games into the season, the Celtics are sitting at 18-11 and holding down the No. 3 spot in the Eastern Conference. And the biggest reason why?
Jaylen Brown is playing the best basketball of his career-and he knows it.
In a recent Twitch livestream, Brown didn’t mince words about where he sees himself in the NBA hierarchy.
“I don’t care who you say right now, ain’t nobody doing it better than me right now,” Brown said.
That’s not just confidence-it’s a statement backed by numbers, impact, and leadership.
Brown, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, has been on a steady climb throughout his career, but this year, he's taken another leap. Through 27 games, he’s averaging a career-best 29.4 points per game, along with 6.4 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.1 steals. He’s doing it efficiently, too-shooting nearly 50% from the field (49.7%), 36.4% from deep, and 78% from the line.
He's also shouldering more of the offensive load than ever before. Brown is taking a career-high 21.5 shots per game and getting to the free-throw line 7.6 times a night-both signs of a player not just stepping into a bigger role, but thriving in it.
And it’s not just the box score. With Tatum out, Brown has become the heartbeat of this Celtics squad.
He’s leading by example, playing with a blend of aggression and control that’s keeping Boston in the thick of the East race. His ability to create his own shot, initiate offense, and defend multiple positions has made him indispensable.
Let’s not forget-this isn’t some midseason breakout. Brown is coming off a 2024 Finals MVP performance, where he was the engine behind Boston’s championship run.
That playoff version of Brown-relentless, fearless, and efficient-has carried over into this season. And now, with Tatum sidelined, the Celtics are leaning on him more than ever.
Brown’s already been to four All-Star Games, including three straight, but this season, he’s pushing for more than just another appearance-he’s making a strong case to be a starter for the first time. And if he keeps up this level of play, the All-NBA conversation won’t be far behind.
So when Jaylen Brown says no one in the league is doing it better right now, it’s not just bravado. It’s the voice of a player who’s been through the grind, stepped into the spotlight, and is delivering night after night. The Celtics needed a leader in Tatum’s absence-and Brown has answered the call in a big way.