The Boston Celtics finish Game 2 at TD Garden with another win against the Indiana Pacers. Careful not to take risks with overtime, the Cs took care of business with a 126-110 victory. Tyrese Haliburton’s early exit with what was said to be “left leg soreness” could have something to do with the win. Nonetheless, no one can disregard the spectacular performance by Jaylen Brown tonight!

Hitting a game-high 40 points, Brown finished with five rebounds and two assists. He went 14-of-27 from the field while draining 4-of-10 from beyond the arc. JB also hit 8 of his 11 free throws. Interestingly, fans are convinced that his 40-point piece is “snub energy.” In fact, The Athletic’s Law Murray made it a point to tweet, “Jaylen Brown had snubbed energy tonight.”

Not one of the All-NBA teams had Brown’s name on it. The first team consisted of Luka Dončić, Giannis Antetokounmpo, SGA, Nikola Jokić, and JB’s teammate, Jayson Tatum. The absence of his name from the team must have felt absolutely ridiculous so much so that ESPN’s Bobby Marks tweeted, “Can we get a recount on All-NBA for Jaylen Brown?”

The second time in his career to hit a 40-point playoff game, Jaylen was locked in like never before. He has been so since the beginning of the season, too. The last time he hit 40 was during Game 3 of the 2022 Eastern Conference Finals against the Miami Heat. Boston lost that game, but it was surely a great night for Brown. This might not have been a direct slight, as the Warriors directed at JB when they left him wide open at the three. But you will have a pretty hard time convincing the fans that. Yet, they have no qualms about making it known.

Fans in disbelief for the All-NBA snub on Jaylen Brown

Derrick White had no doubts on the matter. A self-declared Bostonian posted White’s reaction on X. “He 100% got snubbed, I don’t get it,” – Derrick White on Jaylen Brown not getting All NBA.” White was talking to a reporter on the subject when this fan snapped a shot. Following Derrick, Trae Young also tweeted his admiration for the energy Brown brought into tonight’s game. “JB be really getting too it !!”

His 40 points happened in just 36 minutes of game time. The 3x All-Star also made 8 of his 11 shots from the charity stripe while going 14-of-27 from the field and 4-of-10 from downtown. He finished as a +18 for the team. Another fan brings our attention to the terrible reception Jaylen Brown received on draft night. “NEVER FORGET THEY BOO’D JAYLEN BROWN ON DRAFT NIGHT.”

The Boston Celtics picked Brown as the third pick in 2016, only to be hit with boos from a segment of fans present in the Barclays Center that night. The reasons could have been varied. For one, there were a few top prospects the crowd was more familiar with than JB. They included Ben Simmons, Brandon Ingram, Jamal Murray, Buddy Hield, Domantas Sabonis, and more. And then there were the ever-present shooting concerns.

Many would have been concerned with how much the California product could contribute to the offensive end. It was a time when the Cs were in desperate need of scoring and playmaking. But as we have seen in the following years, the versatile guard has evolved into a lynchpin for the team and the second-best scorer. Another fan brings forth an equally ridiculous instance involving White ahead of the 2023–24 season. “Just remember that Jaylen Brown did not make all NBA. Almost as ridiculous as Derrick white not being top 100 for ESPN?” 

It is common for notable names in the sports media to put together a top 50 or 100 lists ahead of a new season. Unsurprisingly, they spark a bevy of debates. ESPN’s Top 100 list was smack in the middle of one such instance. Their list included notable names from Boston like Kristaps Porziņģis (No. 62), Jrue Holiday (No. 26), Jaylen Brown (No. 19), and Jayson Tatum (No. 6). Despite being a brilliant Sixth Man for the team and named to the All-Defense second team, White was pointedly off the list. Talking about the slight, the veteran guard had said that he wasn’t even surprised anymore. “That’s just kind of how my life has always been … it is what it is.”

Finally, this last Mildly Optimistic Celtics Fan has an unusual take on the whole situation: “It’s crazy that every team star player gets injured except for the team that got the most wins and played the most games this season. I think it’s safe to say Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are the best duo in the NBA just based on ability to stay healthy.”

In a way, it should have been a factor while considering the All-NBA team. Of course, many on the All-NBA teams have played a lot more games than Brown’s 70. But the Celtics finished the regular season with the best record in 2023-24. If we were to look at the teams with the best win-loss record in the past five years, Boston is tied with the Suns for the same – 64-18. Going back to 10 years would place ‘The Bay State’ in the sixth place.

As our Celtics fan here noted, it is indeed crazy that the Jays were able to stay healthy this long. Lucky the Leprechaun must have gotten his hands on that four-leaf clover this time! This must truly be the Cs’ season to win a ring. If they do, Boston will be the only team in league history with the most number of rings. How does that make you feel Celtics fans?

Before you go, another matter foremost in our mind is about our beloved Inside the NBA crew. While many are sure they are going to be disbanded, Shaq’s confidante and ex-agent, Leonard Armato, thinks otherwise. To know more about his comments, watch this video.