Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown and ESPN's Stephen A. Smith might have to settle their differences on national television.
After the Celtics squandered a 3-1 series lead against the Philadelphia 76ers, Brown got on his Twitch livestream and called out Joel Embiid for flopping. He also said the 2025-26 season was his favorite despite not having his co-star Jayson Tatum for the majority of it.
"You got to see all of these guys, all of my teammates, grow," Brown said, via ESPN. "I got to see them overcome adversity as a group, up close and personal. ... Obviously, we're not satisfied with the result. If it sounds like an excuse, it's not. But to fight and maneuver through adversity and grow, and galvanize with a bunch of guys and to have that mindset and approach, this was my favorite year. I wouldn't say by far. By far would be a stretch because obviously winning the championship is great. But I'm telling y'all, this was my favorite season."
During this Thursday's edition of "First Take," Smith responded to Brown labeling the 2025-26 season as his favorite year in Boston.
"The Boston Celtics lost a 3-1 lead for the first time in its history and its star this season goes on camera 24 hours after losing and says this was his favorite year," Smith said. "... He needs to be quiet unless you're trying to get traded."
© Winslow Townson-Imagn Images.
It didn't take long for Brown to fire back at ESPN's most charismatic TV personality.
"I’ll 'be quiet' / stop streaming if you 'be quiet' and retire," Brown wrote on social media. "Let’s give the people what they want."
We feel comfortable saying there's no way Smith will grant Brown's wish. He might, however, receive an invitation to the "First Take" studio.
Does Jaylen Brown want out of Boston?
Since entering the NBA in 2016, Brown has earned All-Star honors five times. Of course, we can't forget that he won Finals MVP in 2024. From a statistical standpoint though, he's coming off the best season of his career. He averaged 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game for the Celtics.
Although he's under contract for the next three years, Brown's recent comments about the Celtics have plenty of fans wondering if he'll request a trade this offseason.
Brown, however, claims he wants to remain on the Celtics.
"I love Boston," Brown said on Wednesday. "And if it was up to me I could play in Boston for the next 10 years."
