NBA Notes: Celtics, Jaylen Brown, Knicks, Mikal Bridges, Magic

Celtics

Jaylen Brown is pushing back on the noise.

After Brad Stevens addressed and downplayed talk of Brown being unhappy, the Celtics star did the same himself during a Twitch stream.

“(I) hate that our president of basketball operations even had to respond to this,” Brown said. “Me and Brad have a great relationship. I love Boston. If it was up to me, I could play in Boston for the next 10 years.”

The chatter started after Tracy McGrady suggested on a podcast that Brown was frustrated. Brown did not sound like someone looking for the exit.

He also raised eyebrows by calling this past season his favorite, even over the 2024 title run. Brown posted career highs across the board while taking on a larger role with Jayson Tatum sidelined, but said it was about more than that.

“You got to see all of these guys, all of my teammates, grow,” he said. “To fight and maneuver through adversity and grow… this was my favorite year.”

Brown also addressed his $50,000 fine for criticizing officiating and made it clear he is not backing down.

“The inconsistency of the officiating between the playoffs and regular season is not just something that’s been talked about by me,” he said. “You can fine me… but I care about this.”

Knicks

Mikal Bridges took some heat during the season. He is answering it now.

Bridges averaged 14.4 points in the regular season, leading to questions about the Knicks’ investment. In the postseason, he has looked like the player they envisioned, as Jake Nisse of the New York Post detailed.

Through two games in the second round, Bridges has scored 35 points on 16-of-23 shooting while taking on the primary defensive assignment against Tyrese Maxey.

Maxey has shot just 37.5 percent with 10 turnovers in that span.

With OG Anunoby’s status uncertain, Bridges’ two-way impact could become even more important as the series continues.

Magic

Tom Thibodeau may not be heading back to Chicago.

While the veteran coach would be open to a reunion with the Bulls, the fit is considered unlikely given the team’s current direction, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.

Thibodeau is believed to be seeking a win-now situation, which could steer him elsewhere.

One team that fits that description is Orlando.

Fischer reports the Magic job is viewed as the most appealing landing spot for a coach of that profile, positioning them as a team to watch if Thibodeau becomes a serious candidate.