Who should get the NBA's Eastern Conference Player of the Month recognition for December practically felt like a foregone conclusion. Jaylen Brown earned Conference Player of the Week two out of the three times they gave out that honor in the final month of 2025. However, when it came time to declare who had the best month in the East, that distinction went elsewhere.
Perplexingly, the NBA gave that award to New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson. He certainly had a highly productive December. The two-time All-Star averaged 30.6 points and 7.1 assists. He shot 47.5 percent from the field and knocked down 40.5 percent of the 8.9 threes he hoisted.
Brunson also helped lead the Knicks to the NBA Cup in December, earning tournament MVP for his performance. That likely tipped the scales in his favor.
Still, the numbers aren't on his side.
Jaylen Brown deserved Eastern Conference Player of the Month
The Boston Celtics' star wing built a stronger statistical argument than the award's recipient. Brown generated 31.7 points per game in December, the most in the NBA.
He also averaged 6.5 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.2 steals. He was the only player in the East to average at least 30 points, six rebounds, and five assists. The former Finals MVP shot 53.8 percent from the field, including converting on 42.6 percent of the 4.7 threes he attempted.
Brown put at least 30 points on the board in nine of Boston's 10 tilts in December. He matched Larry Bird's franchise record for the most consecutive contests with at least that high of a scoring output.
The four-time All-Star helped guide the Celtics to a 9-3 record in the last month of 2025. That includes a 123-117 victory vs. the Knicks at TD Garden. The Marietta, Georgia, native finished with a game-high 42 points. He also dished out four assists, grabbed four rebounds, and swiped a steal in the win.
New York went 10-4 in December. The team and its star guard had an impressive month, including capturing the NBA Cup. However, it's hard to square away that the Eastern Conference Player of the Month didn't go to Brown.
The latter posted better numbers. His side emerged victorious when the two geographical rivals went head-to-head. And Brown won Eastern Conference Player of the Week two out of the three times the league announced a recipient of that honor in December. How that didn't lead to him winning Eastern Conference Player of the Week is a decision that warrants second-guessing.