HoopTalk – Jaylen Brown

Like many fans and analysts, I entered the 2025-26 NBA season with concerns about Jaylen Brown’s ability to step up as the Boston Celtics’ true No. 1 option—especially given his lucrative supermax contract extension. Yet, the All-Star wing has emphatically dispelled those concerns, delivering career-best performances and embarking on a blistering hot streak that’s cementing his place in Celtics history. Let’s dive into how he’s turned skepticism into acclaim.

Rocky Start

The Celtics sit as the league’s second-best team by net rating, a testament to their resilience after a sluggish opening. They stumbled out of the gate with an 0-3 record, capped by a disheartening 105-103 home loss to the Utah Jazz on November 3, where Jusuf Nurkic’s last-second putback sealed the defeat. That early skid left little room for optimism among the fanbase. However, Boston has since surged to a 19-11 mark as of December 27, fueled by improved contributions across the roster.

Key to this turnaround? Derrick White and Payton Pritchard have elevated their shooting efficiency, with White posting a 53.6% true shooting percentage and Pritchard at 56.6%, both providing reliable scoring and playmaking. Still, no one has influenced the team’s success more profoundly than Jaylen Brown, whose evolution has been nothing short of remarkable.

The Mid Range Maestro

Brown’s intensity and work ethic have never been in doubt, but questions lingered about his overall growth and whether he could refine his skills to match his athleticism. Drafted as a raw, high-upside two-way prospect in 2016, he’s transformed into one of the league’s premier isolation scorers. Among his standout developments is a mid-range game that’s arguably the best in recent NBA memory. This season, Brown leads the league with six mid-range attempts per game, converting at an elite 52.8% clip—making him one of the most efficient shooters from that range.

Last season, he shot 40% on 2.5 mid-range tries per game, but his efficiency has soared as he’s honed his footwork, pull-up mechanics, and decision-making in isolation sets.

Through 27 games, he’s averaging a blistering 29.4 points per game (6th in the NBA), 6.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists— all career highs—while shooting an efficient 50.2% from the field and 36.9% from three. His net rating sits at +3.5, with a defensive rating of 118.5, showcasing improved playmaking (career high 4.9 assists per game) and rebounding. Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla credits Brown’s surge to refined footwork and aggression, noting he’s “playing with a different level of purpose.”

Brown’s streak isn’t just impressive—it’s historic. Here’s a look at the longest consecutive 30-point games in Boston Celtics history:

Player	Streak Length	Year
Larry Bird	9	1985
Jaylen Brown	8	2025
Paul Pierce	7	2006

Jaylen Brown’s 2025-26 season is a testament to resilience. From preseason backlash and underrating to All-NBA caliber play and a near-record streak, he’s not just exceeding expectations—he’s redefining them. As the Celtics eye another deep playoff run, Brown’s evolution could be the key to repeating. Keep an eye on Sunday’s matchup; one more 30-piece, and history beckons.