Nikola Jokic endorses Celtics star for MVP consideration

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Nikola Jokic endorses Celtics star for MVP consideration

Brian Robb · MassLive

Mon, Feb 16, 2026 ·

2 min read

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Jaylen Brown has helped make the Celtics one of the biggest surprises of the NBA this season with the best play of his career.

The first-time All-Star starter gained some recognition for those efforts at All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles from some of the league's biggest stars.

Nuggets center Nikola Jokic is one of the top candidates for MVP this season but acknowledged that Brown is a worthy candidate when asked about the Celtics star in Los Angeles.

"I mean, I think of course he doesn't have his partner in crime, and he's still proving that he can lead the team," Jokic said. "He's playing at a high level, scoring the ball. He's such good defensive player, too. So playing on both sides of the floor."

The pool for MVP candidates may be thinner than usual this year due to injuries as several top players will not hit the 65-game requirement. That could open the door for Brown for a top-5 MVP finish if Brown is able to sustain his first half numbers. The Celtics star is averaging 29.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 4.7 assists, which are all career-highs through 49 games despite him playing just 34.2 minutes per contest.

The Celtics currently sit with the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference and are just three games behind their pace from last season at 35-19 despite the loss of Jayson Tatum and an offseason roster overhaul. Brown has been front and center for that success, appearing in 49 of Boston 's 54 games while providing strong consistency that has stood out to Jokic.

"I think the versatility of him that he can play on both sides of the court and still score and still be dominant and still be top three, I think they are top 3 in the East,' Jokic said. "So you know, he's a really good player."

Brown will have a chance to add to his MVP case against Jokic next week when the Celtics take on the Nuggets on Wednesday night in the final game of their Western Conference road trip.

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