Lakers' LeBron James endorses Celtics' Jaylen Brown for MVP - ESPN

ESPN

by Dave McMenamin

February 23, 2026

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Lakers' star LeBron James has endorsed Celtics' Jaylen Brown for MVP after Brown led Boston to a dominant 111-89 victory over Los Angeles on Sunday. Brown's impressive performance, which included 32 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, and three steals, caught the attention of his rival. James acknowledged Brown's consistent excellence this season, noting that he averages nearly 30 points per game while leading a Celtics team that has faced significant challenges, including the absence of Jayson Tatum due to injury and the loss of key players from last year's championship team. Brown's ability to carry the Celtics despite these setbacks has earned him high praise from James, who admitted that MVP discussions can sometimes be influenced by factors beyond merit. Brown, however, remains humble and focused on his role as a leader and winner. He emphasized his two-way game, leadership qualities, and availability night in and night out, all of which contribute to Boston's success. The Celtics' strong start to the season, sitting at 37-19 with the second-best record in the Eastern Conference, is a testament to Brown's growth and

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Originally published on ESPN on 2/23/2026