Jaylen Brown dropped 50 points on 18-of-26 shooting while locking down Kawhi Leonard defensively in the Boston Celtics' 146-115 demolition of the LA Clippers on Saturday night. Brown texted Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla before the game, saying he wanted the matchup with Leonard, then proceeded to play amazing defense and hit ridiculous shots all game.
The six-game winning streak ended, and Brown made sure everyone knew who the real best two-way player in the NBA is.
"I believe I'm the best two-way player in the world"Jaylen Brown
It is safe to say Jaylen Brown was not lying. While scoring at such a high rank on elite efficiency, Brown held Leonard to 22 points on 6-of-17 shooting, which is a massive drop-off from the way the two-time champion was scoring during the winning streak.
Brown sought out the challenge, took the assignment personally, and absolutely dominated on both ends of the floor. It was one of the most complete two-way performances anyone's seen at the Intuit Dome, and it came at the Clippers' expense.
Jaylen Brown was prepared to dominate the Clippers
Jaylen Brown's career performance was a premeditated destruction. He wanted to prove a point with his text to Joe Mazzulla, as Kawhi Leonard has been considered the gold standard for two-way excellence for over a decade, winning two Finals MVPs and multiple Defensive Player of the Year awards. Brown respectfully wanted to show that Leonard's era is over, and he's the new standard.
"I feel like it brings the most out of me. Obviously, Kawhi is one of the greats, so I wanted to start on him. And I just seek those matchups. I like when my back is against the wall. When people doubt, it fuels me."Jaylen Brown
The doubt he's referring to? Brown was snubbed for Eastern Conference Player of the Month in December despite triumphing over Jalen Brunson in most major statistical categories. He publicly expressed frustration, then used that as motivation to torch the Clippers.
Jaylen Brown did more than just hold his ground defensively
While everyone will focus on the 50-point explosion, Jaylen Brown's defensive performance on Kawhi Leonard was equally dominant. Leonard came into Saturday as the hottest player in the NBA. He looked unstoppable, dropping 55 (career high) against Detroit and 45 against Utah.
Then Brown took the assignment and completely shut him down. Leonard finished 6-of-17 from the field, and was visibly frustrated with every shot contested by having to work extra on offense. The Clippers' offense, which had been humming with the two-time champion getting to his spots effortlessly, suddenly looked stagnant and predictable.
All in all, Brown's defensive versatility was on full display. He fought through screens, recovered on cuts, and maximized his strength. Every time Leonard tried to get into his rhythm, he was there disrupting timing and forcing difficult shots.
The Clippers had no answers
The worst part of Saturday's loss wasn't just that Jaylen Brown went nuclear; it's that the LA Clippers had absolutely no defensive scheme to slow him down. Tyronn Lue tried everything on Brown, and nothing worked. He cooked everyone, got to his spots at will, and made the Clippers look slow and old.
Lue's defensive priorities were completely backwards. The Boston Celtics ran a perfect offense all night, exploiting every mismatch and getting open looks whenever they wanted.
James Harden had a phenomenal offensive showcase in the first half but was completely lost defensively. He got burned regularly, was late on closeouts, and provided zero resistance.
The Clippers also brought back Ivica Zubac from his ankle injury, and his return immediately killed the spacing that had made the offense click during the winning streak. The team looks completely different with the big man playing. In a sense, they appear similar to what they were before the winning streak.
Respect must be given where it's due
Jaylen Brown gave Kawhi Leonard all the respect in the world for being the pinnacle of two-way excellence throughout his career, then proceeded to show him that the torch has been passed.
Thus, even the opposition had to tip their cap. This wasn't a fluke performance or lucky shooting night, this was a superstar in the MVP conversation now declaring himself the best two-way player in the world.
The LA Clippers' six-game winning streak was fun while it lasted, but Saturday night exposed the reality: they're still not on the level of legitimate contenders like the Boston Celtics.