Boston Celtics star forward Jaylen Brown put on a scoring clinic against the Memphis Grizzlies Wednesday night, scoring a career-high 42 points on an absolutely sizzling 15-of-21 shooting, including hitting 7-of-10 from beyond the arc.
The Georgia native also connected on 5 of his 6 trips to the free throw line for his career night against the Grizzlies, pulling down 5 rebounds to go with 4 assists and a steal, all accomplished in the first three quarters against an overmatched Memphis squad at the Garden. Though head coach Brad Stevens sat the Cal-Berkeley product for the entire fourth quarter out of an abundance of caution, it was still one of the more dominant performances by a Celtic in recent history.
NBA writers and analysts alike took to Twitter to share their incredulity at the show Brown put together, united in their awe of the five-season veteran’s outstanding performance.
Jaylen Brown the guy I picked to win Most Improved Player this year has 26 at the half…oh yeah the best 2 way wing in the NBA!!! Carry on…
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) December 31, 2020
Former Celtic champion Kendrick Perkins reminded us he had Brown for Most Improved Player…
Jaylen Brown’s 43 points through the first 3 quarters of the game are the most by a Celtic in the past 25 years, per Sportradar.
— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) December 31, 2020
While the Athletic’s Jared Weiss helped us contextualize just how big of a night it was for the Celtics’ rising star.
Remember when people questioned Jaylen Brown's extension? Ha. #Celtics
— Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) December 31, 2020
“Celtics Beat” podcast host Adam Kauffman noted the lunacy of those doubting Brown’s contract extension in retrospect…
Jaylen Brown’s rate of improvement each season is staggeringly impressive
— Jackson Frank (@jackfrank_jjf) December 31, 2020
And The Step Back’s Jackson Frank noted just how much he has grown as a player season to season.
Jaylen Brown tonight:
42 PTS (career-high)
5 REB
4 AST
7 3PMHe joins Paul Pierce, Jayson Tatum and Antoine Walker as the only Celtics since 2000 to put up 40 points in a game before turning 25. pic.twitter.com/deulIyIYJp
— StatMuse (@statmuse) December 31, 2020
Perennial statistical historians State Muse shared the rarified air Brown now finds himself in…
Jaylen Brown with 44 points through 3 quarters, continuing exceptional early season two-way play. A few years ago when there was a loud call to go after Jimmy Butler, I wrote that Celtics may already have the next Jimmy Butler in @FCHWPO…
It's possible I undersold it.
— Steve Bulpett (@SteveBHoop) December 31, 2020
While renowned Boston sportswriter Steve Bulpett noted he may have under-estimated the Marietta native’s ceiling (before one of his baskets was credited properly to teammate Jayson Tatum).
When are they announcing All-Star starters? Asking for Jaylen Brown.
— Taylor Snow (@taylorcsnow) December 31, 2020
And team reporter Taylor Snow hinted a certain someone better get an All-Star nod this year.
