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BOSTON — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was within the constructing, however the MVP chants weren’t for him.

They rained down from the TD Garden rafters every time Celtics ahead Jaylen Brown took the free-throw line in a 119-109 win over Gilgeous-Alexander’s reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder. He took the stripe rather a lot — a game-high 14 instances in complete — en path to 31 factors, 8 rebounds and eight assists, outperforming the NBA’s returning regular-season and Finals MVP.

Brown even beat Gilgeous-Alexander at his personal recreation, baiting him right into a foul — and the bucket — halfway by means of the fourth quarter. Brown was all smiles; all SGA might do was shake his head. He has, in spite of everything, made a pleasant residing out of forcing opponents into compromising positions.

“I guess that was a little payback,” mentioned Brown.

Of course, Brown has a Finals MVP award of his personal. He additionally made an All-NBA Second Team as Jayson Tatum’s co-star in 2023. We knew he was good. Just didn’t know he was this good. In the absence of Tatum, who ruptured his proper Achilles final May, Brown stored the Celtics within the hunt, acting at a stage that warrants his consideration on ballots for MVP and All-NBA First Team.

“We all knew he could do it,” mentioned Tatum.

Not like this. We figured him for a second possibility on a title staff, as a result of we now have seen him do it earlier than in 2024, however after Wednesday’s convincing win over the Thunder we now have to ask: Can Jaylen Brown be the most effective participant on a staff that wins the championship this season?

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