When the topic of the NBA's Most Valuable Player Award has come up this season, Jaylen Brown's name doesn't get mentioned, and when it does, fans and analysts laugh it off. Brown winning the award would mean he would have to overcome Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (the league's reigning MV(,), Victor Wembanyama (who has elevated the Spurs among NBA elite), and Luka Doncic among others.
In fact, there's been a growing narrative that the Celtics are better with Brown off the floor. Narratives are never objective, and regardless of how valid it is, it doesn't take away from how good Brown has been. In fact, while many may scoff at the notion that he could win MVP, he just got an endorsement from Pardon the Interruption's Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon.
In a stunning twist of events, they didn't just say Brown has a case. No, they both proclaimed Brown as their MVP pick.
Today on 'PTI,' Michael Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser both say Jaylen Brown is the NBA MVP right now pic.twitter.com/3s7xa04GwW
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 24, 2026
Kornheiser does not have a vote for the NBA awards, but Wilbon does. And if a veteran NBA analyst like Wilbon believes Brown should be the league's MVP, that could persuade others to join him.
Before this season, Brown definitely had a strong case to make the Basketball Hall of Fame and get his number retired in Boston, but no one in their right mind thought he could win the NBA's Most Valuable Player award. That's not even something Jayson Tatum has gotten, but getting such an endorsement on one of the most popular sports shows ever may have just gotten the wheels churning on his MVP campaign.
Brown's case might be stronger than meets the eye
Brown has only further solidified his status as a Celtics legend this season, as Boston thriving despite Tatum's absence only reflects very well on him. He may not be considered the best of the best in the NBA, but there's a solid argument that his case compares more favorably to his fellow candidates than most believe.
Gilgeous-Alexander's case has been based on how dominant both he and the Thunder have been despite the injuries they've gone through. By extension, that can be applied to Brown because Tatum didn't play due to injury plus Boston lost most of its championship core but still remained a fantastic team despite all that.
Wembanyama's case has been based on the Spurs leveling up as a team. As true as that is, the Spurs barely squeaked by the Celtics both times the two teams faced off. The first time being without Tatum and the second because Brown got kicked out
Doncic's case has been based on the amazing numbers he's put up this season (thanks again for saving the Lakers from a muddy future, Nico!). As good as the Lakers have looked when things are looking up, voters should not discount how bad they looked when things were trending downward. The Celtics have had their missteps, but never any terrible stretches.
Nikola Jokic's case has been hurt by Denver not being quite as good as many thought they would and it looks like Cade Cunningham won't meet the 65-game requirement to become an actual candidate.
Whether or not Brown wins the award or not, we just got our first indication that his case shouldn't be swept under the rug. Moreso, it's actually pretty legitimate.