Jan. 20, 2026, 8:56 p.m. ET
Star Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown learned he had made All-Star starter for the first time in his career through the friends and family. They reached out to him on hearing that the Celtics star had been named an East starter alongside Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey, and Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham.
The Georgia native shed some light on how he learned about the honor, and whether it has impacted how he feels about his standing in the eyes of his fellow stars around the NBA after Boston’s 104-103 loss to the Detroit Pistons Monday (Jan. 19) night. “I woke up from a nap, and then I had some text messages from loved ones and family,” said Brown via CLNS Media, “but I think that’s what it matters most for, my support group.”
“I think it means a lot to them to see me celebrated in that light, but I’ve always felt like, regardless of what people may think … that I’m one of the better players in this game,” he added. “Now I’ve got an opportunity to show it a little more.”
As to whether he feels any validation from his peers with the starting nod, the Georgia native replied, “I guess I not for me … I’m a very confident guy. So I don’t allow other people to tell me what my validation is. I’ve always felt like I was better than a lot of these guys, but it doesn’t come down to it.”
“What I think and feel comes down to media, fan vote, all that type of stuff, so it could go any direction. I’m grateful because I know my support group, I know it means a lot for them. They’ve been supporting me, they knew what type of talent I was from Day One. And it means a lot for them to see me in these spaces, so shout out to them.”
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