Jaylen Brown Reacts to Celtics' 50th Win

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Reign Amurao | Last updated Mar 29, 2026 9:18 PM ET

The Boston Celtics reached their 50th win of the 2025-26 NBA season on Sunday. The Celtics handed the Charlotte Hornets their 36th loss of the season, after a dominant 114-99 win. Jaylen Brown did not play against the Hornets due to a left achilles tendinitis. Fortunately for Boston, they had Jayson Tatum to carry them offensively.

Tatum had his best game since coming back from a torn Achilles injury. He had a season-high 32 points on 5-for-10 shooting from beyond the arc. Payton Pritchard helped out with 28 points, six rebounds and six assists. It was a strong performance for the Celtics, a team that could have a strong campaign to contend for the Larry O'Brien trophy.

Jaylen Brown Reacts to the Celtics' "Gap Year"

Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7)© Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

No one thought that the Celtics would be one of the top teams this season. Before the campaign started, they were expected to be out of the playoff picture because of Tatum's injury. However, Brown carried the team all year, which resulted in them being among the teams to beat in the East.

After their 50th win, Brown recalled the "gap year" label that was put on the team.

"50 wins in a gap year ☘️" the 2024 Finals MVP posted.

50 wins in a gap year ☘️
— Jaylen Brown (@FCHWPO) March 30, 2026

The Celtics have clinched the No. 2 spot in the East and will make the postseason for the 12th consecutive time. Aside from Tatum's injury, Boston has also changed their roster over the summer.

Veteran big man Al Horford was not brought back and he signed with the Golden State Warriors. Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis were traded to the Portland Trail Blazers and Atlanta Hawks, respectively. All three players have played a significant part in the team's 2024 championship run. However, they had to part ways with them during the offseason.

Part of the team's success has been Brown's rise as the Celtics' No. 1 option. The star guard is doing a lot offensively and is also one of the favorites to win the MVP. Through 65 games, he's averaging 28.6 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.2 assists on 47.7% shooting.

In the latest NBA MVP update, Brown is now No. 5. He's among some of the best players in the league this season such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Victor Wembanyama, Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic.

This is the first season that the Celtics star has been seriously considered as an MVP candidate. In the past, he never finished in the top 10 in voting. Tatum, meanwhile, has been in the top 10 over the past four seasons

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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