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BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 14: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics reacts against the New York Knicks during the third quarter in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Second Round NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on May 14, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts.
The 2025-26 NBA season didn’t end the way that the Boston Celtics would have hoped, as they were eliminated in seven games in the first round of the playoffs by the rival Philadelphia 76ers.
But despite the ultimate outcome, Celtics star forward Jaylen Brown still has overwhelmingly positive feelings about the season.
Jaylen Brown Says Celtics Had a ‘Great’ Season Despite First Round Exit
GettyBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MARCH 08: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics talks with head coach Joe Mazzulla during the second half against the Los Angeles Lakers at TD Garden on March 08, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 111-101. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Brown had his best season individually in ’25-26 as he stepped up in a big way in the absence of Jayson Tatum, who missed the majority of the season while recovering from an Achilles tear. As a team, the Celtics overcame a lot of adversity to remain competitive and finish with the second-best record in the Eastern Conference. Brown doesn’t think the ultimate outcome should negate all of that.
“Great season,” Brown said. “Obviously, it didn’t finish the way we would’ve liked. I give credit to Philadelphia. I watched them get better as the series went on. But just for our guys to come out in a Game 7 and play with that level of intensity and trust, that’s the style we felt like we’ve been doing all year, and I loved it.”
“In the fourth quarter we had some great looks I wish would’ve went down,” said Brown, “but nothing to hang my head over. Nothing for us to hang our head over.”
This story will be updated.
Michael Kaskey-Blomain Michael Kaskey-Blomain is an experienced sports media member covering the NBA and NFL for Heavy. He has been in the industry for well over a decade with previous stops including the Philadelphia Inquirer and CBS Sports. Michael also serves as a Philadelphia 76ers reporter and insider for ESPN 97.3 and an NBA and NFL contributor for The Sporting News. More about Michael Kaskey-Blomain