Jaylen Brown Fires Back at Critics in Win Over Portland

Jaylen Brown has heard the doubts all year, but he is not letting them define him. The Boston Celtics star has pushed his team near the top of the Eastern Conference and sent another message on Monday night.

It was a special night at TD Garden for a different reason as well. Jrue Holiday and Robert Williams III returned to Boston for the first time since being traded to Portland. Both players were key figures in the Celtics’ recent postseason runs, and fans gave them a warm welcome during pregame introductions.

Holiday was right about that part. Brown put up 20 points, eight rebounds, and four assists in the Celtics’ 102-94 win, showing his all-around style once again. Boston moved to 29-17 with the victory and remains in second place in the East, according to league standings.

He added that fans are now seeing what he can do when he has more responsibility. Boston finished second in the East last year as well, but Brown pointed out that the roster looks very different from that group. Several rotation players are gone, and Jayson Tatum has missed extended time, yet the Celtics have stayed in contention.

Brown is averaging nearly 30 points per game this season and was named an Eastern Conference All-Star starter for the first time in his career. He also earned 2024 NBA Finals MVP honors, which helped elevate his profile in league circles.

Monday’s matchup almost slipped away despite Boston leading wire-to-wire. The Celtics built a 23-point first-half lead as Portland struggled to hit shots. Holiday kept the Blazers alive with 14 points, four rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a block. Williams added six points, two rebounds, two steals, and a block in 20 minutes off the bench.

Portland’s defense tightened in the second half, and Boston got sloppy. Turnovers, fouls, and missed shots cut the lead down to 10 entering the fourth quarter. The final five minutes were tense as Boston was outscored 12-8 and shot just 2-for-10 in that stretch. Brown scored only one point in the fourth, and the Celtics gave up three offensive rebounds late.

But the lead held, and Boston survived a late push to spoil the emotional homecoming for their former teammates. The Celtics continue their homestand on Wednesday night when they host the Atlanta Hawks, looking to strengthen their grip near the top of the East.

Brown has made one thing clear through 46 games: he is keeping receipts. And as long as he is “taking things personally,” Boston remains dangerous.

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