Oct 24, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) is defended by New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Jaylen Brown Drops 50 In Response To Snub

Originally posted on Stadium Rant | By Wayne Gregoire | Last updated Jan 4, 2026 2:02 PM ET

Boston Celtics superstar Jaylen Brown took his frustration out on the Los Angeles Clippers yesterday. His 50-point outburst was allegedly in response to getting snubbed by the NBA, which named Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks as its Eastern Conference Player of the Month for December, instead of Brown. A case can certainly be made for Brunson, but it’s hard not to make a stronger case for Brown when looking over his stats for the final month of 2025.

Jalen Brunson VS Jaylen Brown In December

During the month of December, Brunson led the Knicks to a 10-3 record while averaging 30.6 points per game, 3.2 rebounds, and 7.1 assists. He shot 47.5% from the field, including 40.5% from behind the arc. He scored more than 30 points seven times and over 40 points twice (40 against the Orlando Magic on December 13 and 47 against the Miami Heat on December 21).

Brown played fewer games. The Celtics went 9-3 in December, but Brown sat out two of those wins, giving them a record of 7-3 for the month when he played. In nine of the 10 games he played, Brown scored 30 or more points, including 42 against Brunson and the Knicks on December 2. That game against New York also began a streak of 30-point games that would last almost the entire month, ending with a 23-point effort on December 30 against the Utah Jazz.

The nine-game streak of 30+ points tied Larry Bird’s record from the 1984-85 season. Brown’s teammate Jayson Tatum never accomplished the feat, and neither did Paul Pierce during his 15 seasons in the green and white. During the nation’s big holiday month, Brown was also more efficient and played a more all-around game than Brunson. He averaged 31.7 points per game on 53.8% shooting (including 42.6% from three). He added 6.5 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.6 blocks as well.

End Of My Jaylen Brown Rant

Brown should have clearly won the monthly award and expressed his frustration on Twitter. Over a side-by-side picture of him and Brunson, Brown used just 3 characters to show how he felt. SMH (shaking my head for those who don’t speak acronyms). He didn’t just show his true feelings on the matter on social media. The Los Angeles Clippers, who had nothing to do with the league’s decision, had to feel his wrath, too.

Yesterday (January 3, 2026), Brown played 35 minutes, connecting on 18 of 26 shot attempts (6 of 10 from three and 8 of 10 from the foul line), ending the game with 50 points. It was the 11th 50-point game of the NBA season (first for a member of the Celtics). Only recently injured Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic has multiple 50-point games. With a knee injury potentially forcing him under the 65-game threshold needed for yearly awards, could his 2025-26 MVP award go to Brown? A player of the year award could definitely make up for a missed player of the month award.

This article first appeared on Stadium Rant and was syndicated with permission.

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