TITLE: LeBron James Says Jaylen Brown Deserves Spot in MVP Race After Celtics Beat Lakers
SLUG: lebron-james-says-jaylen-brown-deserves-spot-in-mvp-race
CONTENT:
LOS ANGELES — LeBron James believes Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown should be considered a leading contender for the 2025-26 NBA Most Valuable Player award after Brown powered Boston to a 111-89 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on February 22 at Crypto.com Arena.
“I don’t understand why his name isn’t coming up,” James told reporters postgame. “Nobody expected them to stay at the top when Jayson [Tatum] went down, and he’s putting up, what, 30 a night? He’s kept them afloat.”
Brown carrying Boston without Tatum
Tatum is sidelined for the season with an Achilles injury, leaving Brown to lead a roster that no longer features Jrue Holiday, Al Horford or Kristaps Porziņģis. Despite the changes, the Celtics remain on pace with the Eastern Conference’s best records.
James credited Brown for turning outside doubts into motivation, saying the sixth-year wing has “taken that next step” while guiding a largely revamped lineup. The Lakers star also called today’s MVP process “a popularity contest,” adding that he stopped worrying about the award years ago.
Past comments about Bronny now “all good”
James said his relationship with Brown is “pretty respectful,” aside from remarks Brown made about James’ son, Bronny, at the 2024 Summer League. “He went on social media and said something about it. It’s all good,” James noted. “Bronny’s got a long way to go, but that’s another story.”
Brown appreciates LeBron’s praise
Brown said hearing the compliment from James, whom he called “arguably the best player ever,” was an honor. “I’m grateful,” Brown said. “It’s an honor to play in the Celtics-Lakers rivalry, and I wake up every morning humbled.”
The loss dropped Los Angeles further behind Boston, which continues to set the pace in the conference standings behind Brown’s near 30-point average.
Source: LakersNation.com
