Boston Celtics Jaylen Brown Getting MVP Buzz As NBA Season Heads Into Final Months

The Boston Celtics entered the 2025-26 season facing a mountain of adversity. With superstar Jayson Tatum sidelined due to an Achilles injury suffered in the previous playoffs and key veterans like Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis no longer on the roster, many expected a regression. Instead, the Celtics are sitting comfortably near the top of the Eastern Conference. The reason? Jaylen Brown has leveled up.

Boston Celtics Jaylen Browns Relishing New Role

For years, Brown was viewed as the ultimate “1B” option—an elite wing who thrived alongside a primary superstar. But this season, forced into the role of undeniable alpha, Brown isn’t just keeping the ship afloat; he’s steering it into championship contention. His play has been so impressive that he is finally generating legitimate buzz for the league’s highest individual honor: the MVP award.

Stepping Up When It Matters Most

The narrative around Brown this season is compelling. It’s one thing to put up big numbers on a bad team; it’s another to lead a depleted roster to the second seed in the conference. Through 50 games, Brown is averaging a career-high 29.2 points per game, along with 7.0 rebounds and 4.8 assists. These aren’t just empty stats. They are the engine driving Boston’s offense.

His impact hasn’t gone unnoticed by his peers. During All-Star weekend, Denver Nuggets superstar and perennial MVP contender Nikola Jokic heaped praise on Brown. “He don’t have his partner in crime and he’s still proving that he can lead the team,” Jokic said. When the best player in the world validates your game, people tend to listen.

Gaining Traction in the Polls

While Brown might not be the betting favorite just yet, the data shows he is climbing the ladder. In ESPN’s latest MVP straw poll, which surveys 100 media members, Brown landed in sixth place. That might seem like a long shot, but context is key. He ranked ninth in the previous poll, showing a clear upward trend as the season progresses.

Former NBA All-Star DeMarcus Cousins took it a step further on FanDuel TV, arguing that Brown should be even higher. Cousins placed Brown second on his personal MVP list, right behind Detroit’s Cade Cunningham, citing Brown’s ability to win without his co-star.

The 65-Game Rule Factor

There is another variable that could drastically alter the MVP race: availability. The NBA’s new rule requiring players to play at least 65 games to be eligible for major awards is already threatening the candidacies of top stars.

Frontrunners like Joel Embiid and Luka Doncic have already missed significant time. If other contenders fall below the 65-game threshold, the field could thin out considerably. Brown has been durable and consistent, which is an ability that is often undervalued until the votes are cast. If he stays healthy while others sit, his path to a top-three finish—or even a win—becomes much clearer.

What This Means for Brown’s Legacy

Regardless of whether he takes home the trophy, this season has changed the perception of Jaylen Brown. He has proven he is capable of being the number one option on a contending team. He has shouldered the burden of leadership and scoring without efficiency dropping off.

The MVP race is crowded, but if Boston keeps winning and Brown keeps dominating, don’t be surprised if the “dark horse” conversation turns into a very real debate by the end of the season.