Jaylen Brown answered the NBA’s silence with production. Two days after being passed over for Eastern Conference Player of the Month, the Boston Celtics star authored one of the most complete games of his career, and today he stole the limelight with a sky-high 50 points against LA.
The performance did not come in isolation. Brown entered the night leading the league in scoring for December and carrying Boston through an extended stretch without Jayson Tatum, who remains sidelined with a torn Achilles. When recognition went elsewhere, Brown responded on the floor, not online.
Jaylen Brown Explains Two-Way Statement After Career-High Performance
Following Boston’s win at Intuit Dome, Brown appeared in a postgame interview on Jan 4 and talked about his performance.
JB said, “I feel like I’m the best two-way player in the game. “Tonight was one of those special nights, where I felt like every shot was going in.”
Jaylen Brown to @tvabby on a night he matched his career-high of 50 points and guarded Kawhi Leonard and James Harden:
“I feel like I’m the best two-way player in the game.”
“Tonight was one of those special nights, where I felt like every shot was going in.”
🎥: @NBCSCeltics https://t.co/3QSLpI1LGy pic.twitter.com/zlijuI43oR
— Bobby Krivitsky (@BobbyKrivitsky) January 4, 2026
Brown’s claim reflected the night’s workload. Offensively, he scored at all three levels and controlled Boston’s half-court possessions. Defensively, he rotated between Leonard and Harden, often initiating contact at the point of attack. Boston held both stars below their season averages while maintaining its offensive pace.
Meanwhile, Brown’s response aligns with HC Joe Mazzula’s remark after he missed out on player of the month: “I’m happy he’s disappointed in it,” Mazzulla said. “I hope he takes it out on our opponents next month.”
Joe Mazzulla on Jaylen Brown missing out on player of the month:
“I’m happy he’s disappointed in it… I hope he takes it out on our opponents for the next month.”pic.twitter.com/MBxmHymRgD
— jb (@lockedupjb) January 4, 2026
The NBA announced its December Player of the Month awards. The list contains Oklahoma City guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who won in the West. While New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson won in the East. Brown finished runner-up.
Score-wise, Brown averaged 31.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 5.4 assists in December while shooting over 53 percent from the field. Boston went 9–3 during the month. Brown also earned Eastern Conference Player of the Week honors twice.
Rather than public criticism, Brown delivered consecutive high-level performances. He scored 29 points in Boston’s Jan. 2 win over Sacramento and followed it with 50 against the Clippers. Brown assisted on 25 percent of Boston’s points in December, including five games above 27 percent. He also handled the team’s toughest defensive matchups throughout the stretch.
Brunson poured in 30.6 points per game, dished out 7.1 assists, guiding New York to ten wins and one NBA Cup. That said, come December 2, Brown lit up the scoreboard with 42 points, lifting Boston past Brunson’s squad. Brown remains a four-time All-Star without a Player of the Month award. And he is setting the tone on both ends. The production supports the statement.
