Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown acknowledged that he has largely been left out of the NBA’s Most Valuable Player discussion and said he knows the reason behind the oversight.
In an exclusive interview published February 23, 2026, by the New York Post, the All-Star declined to elaborate on the specifics but made clear he is aware of why voters and analysts have not placed him among the top candidates.
The 29-year-old is in the midst of another strong season for Boston, which entered the All-Star break near the top of the Eastern Conference standings. Brown has averaged more than 20 points per game in each of the past five campaigns and was selected to his third All-Star Game earlier this month.
Despite Boston’s success and his consistent production, Brown’s name has rarely appeared in mid-season MVP projections dominated by stars such as Nikola Jokić, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Dončić. Brown told the Post that he is focused on winning games and a championship, adding that individual recognition will follow if the Celtics reach their goals.
The Celtics resume play later this week, beginning a stretch run that will determine playoff seeding and, potentially, Brown’s place in the awards conversation.
Source: New York Post
