Jaylen Brown pokes fun at doubters as Celtics reach 50 wins

The Boston Celtics They are headed again to the playoffs thanks to a different 50-win season.

Not too unhealthy for a “gap” yr, in response to Jaylen Brown.

The Celtics’ star poked fun at those that doubted the 2025-26 staff after Jayson Tatum‘s proper Achilles damage, posting on social media his ideas after Boston’s playoff-clinching 114-99 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday night time.

“50 wins in a gap year ☘️,” Brown wrote.

50 wins in a spot yr ☘️

— Jaylen Brown (@FCHWPO) March 30, 2026

Brown did not play in Sunday’s recreation, sitting out a second straight contest due to left Achilles tendonitis. But that hardly slowed a Celtics staff that has gained three straight video games (together with one vs. the league-best Thunder), seven of his previous eight total and reached the 50-win mark for the fifth straight season.

Many doubted that it was achievable at the start of the season, with Tatum recovering from a torn Achilles suffered within the playoffs final May and stars like Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis traded within the offseason.

But with Brown main the best way amid an MVP-like season, Boston has been arguably the largest shock within the league and is a legit title contender with Tatum again wholesome.

The win in opposition to the Hornets formally put the Celtics within the playoffs for a twelfth straight season, extending the longest present streak within the NBA. And Tatum was largely to thank, as he scored 32 factors, his largest output in 11 video games since returning earlier this month.

He made turnaround jumpers off one foot, beat opponents to the basket on drives, had a rousing two-hand dunk and arrange teammates with open takes care of drawing double-teams, all of the whereas taking part in with persistence and poise.

“I didn’t feel like I was sped up,” Tatum instructed reporters in Charlotte. “I was still kind of tired, so that’s something I’m still working through. But I like that I’m being decisive in my movements and exploding when I need to [and] reacting. Obviously, it helps when you make shots. I can say I feel better than I did last game. Hopefully, I feel better in the next game than I did today.”

Tatum grew to become the youngest participant in Celtics historical past to reach 14,000 factors.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to be on some really good teams, to be surrounded by some really good players and coaches on the staff that have empowered me and helped me become the player I am today,” he mentioned.

But he is happier simply to be taking part in basketball once more at a excessive stage after a grueling rehabilitation course of. The Celtics are blissful, too. They are 9-2 since he has returned to the ground.

“I’ve had to work my [tail] off just to run up and down the floor,” Tatum mentioned.

Information from ESPN Research and The Associated Press was used on this report.