Jaylen Brown of the Celtics named 2024 Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP

Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown achieved the pinnacle of the 2024 postseason by earning the Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP on Monday. Brown delivered a stellar 21-point performance, contributing eight rebounds and six assists in the Celtics’ decisive 106-86 Game 5 victory over the Dallas Mavericks, securing the Celtics’ NBA-record 18th championship with a 4-1 series win.

After a disappointing Game 4, where he scored a playoff-low 10 points, Brown rebounded spectacularly. “You’re going to have to fight and just stay in the moment,” Brown emphasized post-Game 4. “At this level, you have some very talented players who are going to be on the floor, and you’ve got to bring it every single night.”

Brown demonstrated this resolve in Game 5, scoring 15 points in the first half alone and, alongside Jayson Tatum’s 16 points, propelled Boston to a commanding 67-46 halftime lead. Throughout the Finals, Brown averaged 20.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.6 steals per game, shooting 44% from the field. His standout performance was in Game 3, where he notched 30 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, and a block, making him and Tatum only the second pair of Celtics to each score at least 30 points in a Finals game.

In Game 1, Brown also reached a significant milestone, becoming the first Celtic to score 20 points with three blocks and three steals in a Finals game.

After receiving the Finals MVP trophy, Brown expressed gratitude, saying, “It was a full team effort. I share this with my brothers and my partner in crime, Jayson Tatum. He was with me the whole way. I’ve been grateful for every moment, every opportunity. I never hung my head.”

Reflecting on Brown’s growth, Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla remarked, “He’s not afraid to face his weaknesses on the court. When you have that mindset, you can take on every situation the game brings. Growth comes from becoming vulnerable to the things that make you uncomfortable, and Jaylen does that.”

Brown’s resilience and leadership were instrumental in Boston’s championship run, solidifying his place as a key figure in Celtics history.