Lakers’ LeBron James endorses Celtics’ Jaylen Brown for MVP

LOS ANGELES — After the Celtics beat the Lakers 111-89 on Sunday, thanks to Jaylen Brown’s 32 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and three steals, he was awarded the MVP award on the other side of the Boston-LA rivalry.

Four-time MVP LeBron James said he thinks Brown has a good reason this season to win his first.

“This whole MVP thing, I don’t understand why we don’t talk about his name as well,” James said. “Nobody gave them a chance to start the season. And he’s averaging, what, 30? A little under 30? It’s a popularity contest sometimes, I tell you.”

The win over the Lakers improved Boston’s record to 37-19, the second-best mark in the Eastern Conference.

Brown had career highs in points (29.2), rebounds (7.0) and assists (4.8) on Sunday.

James said Brown deserves consideration because of how competitive the Celtics were despite missing Jayson Tatum all season while recovering from a torn Achilles and losing Jrue Holiday, Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis from their 2024 championship team.

“I think he just used a lot of people’s motivation by saying they were going to have a bad year,” James said. “The whole championship team is kind of revamped, and he’s used that as motivation to keep them afloat. They’re playing great basketball, and it’s because of him and the other guys. He’s taken the next step.”

Brown said he tries not to pay too much attention to the criticism or praise directed at him, but he presented his credentials for the award as he sees them.

“I feel like I’m the best two-way player in the world,” Brown said. “I play both ends of the floor. Night in and night out, I’m available, which is hard to do. I’m a leader. I help lead my team, I empower my team to go out and play with confidence, things that don’t always show up in analytics. And I’m a winner. I go out and try to win every night. So I’m grateful.

“It’s an honor to play the Celtics-Lakers rivalry. It’s an honor for LeBron, who is arguably the best player to ever play this game, to give me praise. So, I’m just grateful.”

James and Brown were All-Star teammates on Team USA Stripes earlier this month.

Brown said it allowed him and James to reconnect with an interaction they shared when Brown was a rookie.

“When I came into the league, my first start was against the Cleveland Cavaliers, and after the game he came up to me and he whispered in my ear, ‘You’re going to be an All-Star one day, you’re going to be a great player,'” Brown said. “So we talked about it at the All-Star Game. ‘Remember that 10 years ago?’ And he smiled: “Of course, I’m not surprised by what you’re doing right now. So keep proving people wrong. Keep doing what you have to do and keep leading your team and people will notice.

Brown said there were more things he and James talked about, but he wasn’t going to share them.

He could have been referring to how he was filmed during a 2024 Las Vegas Summer League game, questioning Bronny James’ credentials as a professional while sitting courtside.

“Our relationship has been pretty respectful, other than the stupid shit he said about Bronny at Summer League,” James said of Brown. “But other than that, other than that, everything’s fine.”

Brown later shared his thoughts on Bronny, sharing on social media: “It’s fortunate to have your son alongside you in the NBA. … Bronny has all the tools around him to succeed. I look forward to watching his growth.”

James said he and Brown “would be fine.”

“I think he went on social media and said something about it,” James said. “It’s all good, but Bronny still has a long way to go, but that’s another story. But the kid, I mean, listen, JB does [great]. Damn, he plays great basketball, man.”

ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne contributed to this report.