In the heart of Boston, the TD Garden was alive with chants of "MVP, MVP, MVP" as Jaylen Brown stepped up to the free throw line during the Celtics' 120-112 victory over the Phoenix Suns. Brown, who dazzled the home crowd with a game-high 41 points on 50% shooting, added five assists and four rebounds to his impressive stat line.
The five-time All-Star was a force to be reckoned with, relentlessly attacking the basket and drawing foul after foul. This aggressive play led to a career-high 21 free throw attempts, allowing Brown to soak in the MVP chants from the fans.
“It’s pretty cool, not gonna lie,” Brown said about the support. “It’s pretty awesome to be at this point in my career and be able to get that love from the fans.”
Brown earned every cheer, especially with his clutch performance in the fourth quarter, where he scored 18 points. A pivotal moment came when he cleanly stole the ball from Suns star Devin Booker, setting up an easy layup for Jayson Tatum. This play cut the Suns' lead to one and sparked a Celtics rally, leading to a decisive 10-1 run to close the game.
Loud MVP chants for Jaylen Brown: pic.twitter.com/2PVsLxBjcH
— Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) March 17, 2026
Reflecting on his recent performances, Brown said, “I feel like even now over the last couple of games, I've adjusted my game, and I'm still continuing to get better in my playmaking ability, seeing the floor, taking my time.”
Beyond the court, Brown experienced the love from fans during Boston's St. Patrick's Day parade, where he was met with MVP chants amid the festive South Boston streets.
Jaylen Brown rolls by at the Southie St. Patrick’s Day parade ☘️ pic.twitter.com/p3vBPLwn4u
— Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) March 15, 2026
“I was in Southie yesterday and I got some MVP chants as well,” Brown shared. “I think that might’ve been a little cooler.”
Despite the MVP buzz, reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his Oklahoma City Thunder, with their league-best record, pose a significant hurdle in Brown's MVP pursuit. However, Brown is on the cusp of Celtics history, needing just 23 points to break into the franchise's top-10 all-time scoring list, right behind his teammate Tatum.
Tatum, speaking about his partnership with Brown, said, “We can rely on one another in the biggest moments, the biggest games, the biggest situations, we've been through all of them together.”
Next, the 45-23 Celtics face the injury-plagued Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night. While this matchup may not elevate Brown's MVP case, it offers another chance for him to shine and for the Celtics to build momentum heading into the playoffs.
“I'm proud of my team, I'm proud of myself,” Brown stated. “I've always felt like I could be one of the top players in the world given the opportunity, and I feel like I got to display that this season. Now the focus is getting ready for the playoffs.”