ESPN Insider Predicts Jaylen Brown Will Keep Celtics in Strong Playoff Contention Even Without Injured Star Forward Jayson Tatum Available
With news breaking that Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum will miss extended time due to a lower leg injury sustained during preseason training, the spotlight now shifts to his All-Star teammate Jaylen Brown. While fans and analysts are understandably concerned about the Celtics’ playoff hopes without their leading scorer and emotional leader, one prominent ESPN insider believes the team is far from finished.
In a segment aired Monday morning on Get Up, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst expressed confidence in Boston’s ability to remain near the top of the Eastern Conference standings, largely because of Jaylen Brown’s presence, growth, and potential as the team’s solo leader in Tatum’s absence.
“Jaylen Brown has been waiting for a moment like this,” Windhorst said. “This is his team now—at least for the next few months. And I don’t think he’ll shrink from the moment.”
A New Chapter for Jaylen Brown
Brown, 27, is coming off a career-best season in which he averaged 23.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. He earned his third consecutive All-Star selection and was named to the All-NBA Second Team for the first time in his career. After signing a five-year supermax extension worth up to $304 million last offseason—the richest contract in NBA history at the time—expectations for Brown have only increased.
Until now, however, Brown has always operated as a 1B to Tatum’s 1A. The two have coexisted productively and propelled the Celtics to deep playoff runs, including the 2022 NBA Finals and multiple Eastern Conference Finals appearances. But for Brown, the challenge has always been proving he can be “the guy.”
Now, he has his chance.
ESPN Insider: “He’ll Thrive as the Lead Dog”
According to Windhorst, the combination of Brown’s physical tools, maturity, and competitive fire make him an ideal candidate to lead the Celtics through this period of adversity.
“He’s one of the few players who embraces both ends of the floor,” Windhorst noted. “He can score 30 and also guard the opponent’s best perimeter threat. And Boston’s system under Joe Mazzulla actually opens things up for him when Tatum isn’t on the floor.”
Indeed, Brown has shown flashes of dominance when Tatum sits. In games where Tatum has missed time over the past two seasons, Brown has averaged 28.1 points on 50.4% shooting, with noticeable increases in usage and confidence.
During a recent preseason media availability, Brown acknowledged the upcoming responsibility.
“We’ll rally,” Brown said. “This team isn’t just about one guy. Of course we want JT healthy, but I’ve prepared my whole career to lead if needed.”
Team Adjustments and Depth Support
While Brown will shoulder the bulk of the scoring and leadership duties, the Celtics’ deep roster will also be tested. Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, and Kristaps Porzingis—Boston’s other core contributors—are expected to help maintain the Celtics’ winning identity.
Porzingis, who was acquired from the Wizards in a blockbuster three-team deal, has been vocal about adjusting his offensive role.
“If Jaylen needs me to step up as a secondary scorer, I’m ready,” Porzingis said. “This is what we came here for—to win and rise when challenges hit.”
Holiday, the veteran point guard acquired in a trade with Portland, brings elite defense and playoff experience. His ability to control tempo and make smart decisions should relieve some of the pressure on Brown in clutch situations.
Coach Joe Mazzulla will also need to get creative with his rotations. Expect Sam Hauser, Payton Pritchard, and Oshae Brissett to see increased minutes as the Celtics lean on depth to fill the scoring and defensive void left by Tatum.
Remaining Schedule: Tough But Doable
The Celtics’ schedule during the first month of Tatum’s absence features matchups against playoff-caliber teams, including the Bucks, Heat, 76ers, and Cavaliers. If Brown and the supporting cast can keep the team within the top four of the East during this stretch, Tatum’s eventual return could set up Boston for another deep postseason run.
The front office has shown no signs of panic. Team president Brad Stevens issued a short but confident statement.
“We believe in our guys. Jaylen has consistently grown into a leader both on and off the floor, and we’re excited to see him rise.”
Brown’s Chance to Silence Doubters
For years, critics have questioned whether Brown and Tatum could truly thrive together. Some believed their overlapping skill sets made it difficult for either to fully flourish as a No. 1 option. Now, Brown gets a rare chance to command the ship on his own.
Analysts point to his improved playmaking and decision-making as signs that he’s ready.
“Jaylen’s biggest issue used to be tunnel vision,” said ESPN’s Tim Legler. “But now he’s reading defenses better and making the extra pass. He’s grown.”
If Brown leads the Celtics to 15–20 wins in the next 25 games, while putting up All-NBA numbers, it could redefine his legacy in Boston. More importantly, it would alleviate some of the pressure Tatum carries and prove that the Celtics are not a one-man show.
A Defining Stretch Ahead
The Celtics currently sit in the top tier of the East alongside the Bucks and 76ers. How they weather the storm without Tatum will determine playoff seeding, home-court advantage, and possibly even the fate of Coach Mazzulla’s long-term vision.
For Jaylen Brown, the next two months are not just about holding down the fort. They’re about showing the league that his max contract was justified, his leadership is real, and that he’s more than just the “other guy” in Boston.
“This is Jaylen’s moment,” Windhorst concluded. “He’s not just filling in—he’s taking over. If he succeeds, the Celtics might come back even stronger when Tatum returns.”
In a league where injuries can derail even the most talented rosters, Boston finds itself in a rare position of resilience. They’ve built around stars, yes—but they’ve also cultivated depth, accountability, and a culture where next-man-up isn’t just a phrase. It’s the foundation.
And at the center of that foundation, for now, is Jaylen Brown.
Whether or not the Celtics can survive without Jayson Tatum will depend largely on Jaylen Brown’s leadership and production. If he delivers, it won’t just keep Boston afloat—it could elevate Brown to new heights and give the Celtics their most balanced identity in years.
