Jaylen Brown delivered 41 points, including 18 in the fourth quarter, to lead the Boston Celtics past the Phoenix Suns 120-112 at TD Garden on Monday night. Jayson Tatum added 21 points in his fifth game back from an Achilles injury, while Derrick White contributed 21 and Payton Pritchard scored 19.
Brown emphasized his approach to aggression and physical play as key to his performance, saying, “I approached the game the same, just physical, getting downhill, playing off two feet… they gave me opportunities to play and I just did what I normally do.” He also highlighted his focus on making plays and maintaining composure, explaining, “I just came out aggressive. What I think about when I have the ball is just be aggressive every time you have it and then… live with the results.”
On his personal growth and enjoyment this season, Brown reflected, “It’s been a great year. I’m extremely grateful… I’ve always felt like I could be one of the top players in the world… now the focus is just get ready for the playoffs. Stay healthy.” He acknowledged the balance of individual performance and team goals, adding, “It takes humility… I always put the team first and what the bigger picture is first.”
Brown also credited his observance of Ramadan for providing mental clarity on the court. “Ramadan brings great clarity in general… the goal is just to be the best version of you and get as much of that as possible,” he said. He emphasized translating that spiritual discipline into basketball, noting, “Put my emotions to the side. Manage my emotions of the game… your goal is to see it and read the game as clear as possible.”
Brown recounted the decisive steal and assist to Tatum that sparked an 8-0 run in the fourth quarter. “I was able to come up with a steal. That was big for us… sometimes just trying to stay in between your man and the ball and making them make tough shots is better for our defense than gambling,” he said, reflecting on the balance between risk and team strategy.
On adapting to his evolving role with Tatum’s return, Brown said, “I’ve been able to play at my own pace and… control my own destiny… sometimes you got to take a backseat or play more off-ball… this year I’ve been able to kind of play at my own pace.” He acknowledged the ongoing learning process, stating, “I still have a lot of room to grow… my playmaking ability, seeing the floor, taking my time… is still continuing to improve.”
Brown also shared his excitement for the Boston fan experience during St. Patrick’s Day festivities, saying, “It felt like a million people out there… it made it more surreal. It’s pretty cool.”
The Celtics improved to 45-23 with the victory, remaining firmly in second place in the Eastern Conference. Boston hosts the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday, while the Suns travel to Minnesota on Tuesday.
