LeBron James endorsed Jaylen Brown as an MVP candidate following Boston’s 111-89 win over the Lakers, in which Brown finished with 32 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists. “This whole MVP thing, I don’t understand why his name is not getting talked about some as well,” James said. “Nobody gave them a shot to start the season. And he’s averaging what, 30? Just under 30? It’s a popularity contest sometimes, I tell you.”
Brown is averaging career highs of 29.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game while leading the Celtics to a 37-19 record. He has served as Boston’s primary scorer and on-court leader since Jayson Tatum was sidelined with a torn Achilles.
Brown responded to James’ comments by saying, “It’s an honor for LeBron, who’s the best player to ever play the game, giving me some high praise. So, I’m just grateful.”
Jaylen Brown averaging 29.2 PPG with Jayson Tatum out for the season
Brown’s MVP case is built on both individual production and team context. With Tatum out and the Celtics’ roster significantly restructured, Brown has carried the offensive load while maintaining a 37-19 record — a win percentage that places Boston firmly in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.
James acknowledged that context directly, saying, “The whole championship team pretty much is kind of revamped, and he used it as motivation to keep them afloat. They’re playing great basketball, and it’s because of him and the rest of those guys.”
Brown has also made his own case publicly, stating, “I feel like I’m the best two-way player in the world. I play both ends on the court. Night to night, I’m available, which is hard to do. I’m a leader. I help lead my team, empower my team to come out and play confidently, stuff that doesn’t always show up on the analytics.”
LeBron’s endorsement carries weight as a four-time MVP winner
James’ comments are notable both because of his credentials — four MVP awards across his career — and because the endorsement came after Brown’s Celtics defeated James’ Lakers by 22 points. The public support from a player of James’ stature could influence how voters and media members evaluate Brown’s candidacy over the remaining stretch of the season.
Brown’s 32-point performance against the Lakers was consistent with his season-long production and came in a game where Boston controlled the outcome from the second half onward.
Brown’s MVP case with 26 games remaining in the regular season
With 26 games left, Brown’s path to serious MVP consideration depends on sustaining his scoring average near 29 points per game while keeping the Celtics in a top-four Eastern Conference seed. The competition for the award includes players on teams with better records, which means Brown’s case relies heavily on the narrative of carrying a post-Tatum roster to a winning record.
James’ endorsement adds a high-profile voice to that argument at a point in the season when MVP debates begin to crystallize ahead of the final voting period.