The Boston Celtics have discouraged Jaylen Brown from taking mid-range shots in the past, but the superstar is embracing his desired attempts with Jayson Tatum out. Granting his wish has resulted in the four-time All-Star averaging a career-high 29.1 points per game and being lethal from the mid-range.
Brown is the conversation for first-team All-NBA in part because of his elite scoring. Nobody is taking more than his 6.0 mid-range jumpers per game, and Brown is shooting 49.6 percent on those attempts. Only four players with at least three attempts per game are shooting a better percentage.
Celtics fans have long known Brown is a number one option, but nobody expected this level of mid-range success. From 16 feet to the 3-point line, Brown is shooting an unbelievable 54.6 percent. Fans know he wanted to take more, and the superstar was clearly right.
Celtics are finally letting Jaylen Brown embrace his mid-range game
Brown recently talked about his desire to shoot more in the mid-range and how that is “his shot and his game”. Getting going in the mid-range has certainly unlocked things. The 29-year-old is having a career year, and his improvements in this area have been a massive reason why.
Asked Jaylen Brown about his midrange efficiency this year, and his answer was pretty interesting:
— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) November 15, 2025
“Over time, those shots have been discouraged. This year, we gotta take whatever shot we can get.”
“For me, getting to my comfort zone on the floor helps make all the other… https://t.co/vCQkXyUJyB pic.twitter.com/PJ1rjwf6vE
The Celtics are 15-9 and third in the Eastern Conference without Jayson Tatum. Everyone knew Brown could be the leading scorer, but nobody expected this leap. He is on pace to earn his second All-NBA honor, and this could be his first time on the first team.
Brown is averaging 29.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.1 steals in 33.7 minutes per game. He is shooting 49.6 percent from the field, 36.3 percent on his threes, and 78.5 percent from the foul line. All his percentages are above his career averages. It has been an outstanding season as Brown keeps silencing his critics.
Analytics may discourage mid-range jumpers, but not from the league’s elite players. Defenders are trying to run them off the 3-point line and will send multiple defenders at the rim. The mid-range is often open, and fans have seen the best dominating this area for decades.
The Celtics were wise to cater to their star and grant his wish. Jaylen Brown was right. Without the mid-range success, he wouldn’t be averaging a career-high in points and assists per game. The 29-year-old is in his prime and seizing the increased opportunity with Tatum out. JT is pushing to get back quickly because Boston looks like a serious contender. Fans can thank Brown for that.
The Boston Celtics are granting Jaylen Brown his wish to shoot more mid-range jumpers, and it is helping them reach heights nobody expected. Brown wasn’t shy about calling out the franchise for discouraging those shots in the past. JB is taking and making them, so do not expect that to stop anytime soon.
This was a missing piece that the Celtics found, and Boston should keep granting Brown’s wishes moving forward. It will be hard not to after he was spot on with this one.