Celtics' Brown Stunned by Wining ECF MVP
Celtics' forward Jaylen Brown expressed surprise upon being awarded the Eastern Conference Finals MVP, clinching the Larry Bird Trophy.
"I wasn't expecting it at all. I don't ever win shit," Brown remarked, as reported by SB Nation's Noa Dalzell.
Brown received the accolade following the Celtics' 105-102 Game 4 victory over the Indiana Pacers, sealing a series sweep. Despite teammate Jayson Tatum leading Boston in scoring throughout the series with an average of 30.2 points per game, Brown's standout performance in the close-out game, where he contributed a game-high 29 points and made a crucial defensive block on Andrew Nembhard, earned him the recognition.
Addressing his absence from the NBA's All-Defensive teams last week, Brown voiced his disappointment, asserting his belief in his status as "one of the best two-way wings in the game," according to Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe. Meanwhile, his teammates Derrick White and Jrue Holiday secured spots on the All-Defensive second team.
The Larry Bird Trophy has now been claimed by a Celtic twice in its three-season existence, with Tatum winning the inaugural award in 2022 when Boston defeated the Miami Heat in seven games. However, the Celtics fell short to the Golden State Warriors in the subsequent Finals.
Looking ahead, Boston awaits the victor of the series between the Dallas Mavericks and the Minnesota Timberwolves, with the Mavericks holding a commanding 3-0 lead.
The NBA Finals are slated to commence on June 6th.
