Celtics' Brown surprised to win ECF MVP: 'I don't ever win shit'
Celtics wing Jaylen Brown was left stunned Monday after being named the Eastern Conference finals MVP and claiming the Larry Bird Trophy.
"I wasn't expecting it at all. I don't ever win shit," Brown said, according to SB Nation's Noa Dalzell.
The three-time All-Star received the honor following the Celtics' 105-102 Game 4 win over the Indian Pacers to complete the series sweep and appeared surprised when handed the MVP trophy.
Jaylen Brown is awarded The Larry Bird Trophy as the Eastern Conference Finals MVP 🏆
— NBA (@NBA) May 28, 2024
The @celtics advance to the #NBAFinals presented by @YouTubeTV! pic.twitter.com/kWg9oucXvF
Although Jayson Tatum's 30.2 points per contest led Boston in scoring throughout the series, Brown had a game-high 29 points in the close-out matchup. The 27-year-old also made a key defensive block on Andrew Nembhard on Monday before setting up Derrick White for the game-winning three with a minute left in regulation.
Jaylen Brown with two huge plays. First the block, then the dime.
— Tomek Kordylewski (@Timi_093) May 28, 2024
And what a shot by Derrick White. It's actually a game-winning three: pic.twitter.com/WJR6MCAaWx
Brown said postgame he was disappointed after being left off the NBA's All-Defensive teams last week, saying he thinks he's "one of the best two-way wings in the game," per Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe.
His teammates White and Jrue Holiday received All-Defensive second-team nods.
A Celtic has won the Larry Bird Trophy two out of its three seasons of existence. Tatum won the inaugural award in 2022 when Boston defeated the Miami Heat in seven games. The Celtics lost to the Golden State Warriors in the Finals that year.
Boston will take on the winner of the series between the Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves. The Mavericks have a commanding 3-0 lead.
The NBA Finals are scheduled to start on June 6.