Jaylen Brown talks about setting a ‘precedent’ for Boston basketball

Jailen Brownuser message after Boston Celtics gritty the double overtime victory in Brooklyn was clear — effort is non-negotiable for the Green team, regardless of the circumstances.

After the game, when asked about the Celtics’ identity and their commitment to playing hard every night, Brown pointed to standards that have been established long before the regular season ended.

“It just started before the season — we just set the precedent, just set the tone for what we want Celtics basketball to be,” Brown said, via Noah Dalzell of the Celtics on CLNS. “And that wasn’t an excuse for any of our guys, not for me, not for anybody from top to bottom. If you’re not playing hard, if you’re not doing what you’re supposed to be doing, not putting in the effort, then you don’t need to be on the floor.”

Brown added that effort, more than tactics or shooting, is what he believes really resonates with fans in Boston.

“And I think the fans respect that more than anything. X’s and O’s are going to be X’s and O’s, make or miss shots, but your effort — playing hard, defense, things like that — those are the things that I think the city of Boston represents,” he added.

Those comments carried extra weight given the context of Friday night’s game at the Barclays Center. The Nets responded coach Jordi Fernandez’s call to show the strength and values ​​of understanding, after a a 120-66 loss to the New York Knicksforcing Boston into not one but two overtimes. However, the Celtics were also on a mission of their own as Brown escaped and ended up beating the Nets 130-126 in overtime.

Brooklyn played with urgency throughout, led by Michael Porter Jr.30 points and eight rebounds in the return performance after a difficult outing in New York. Rookie Nolan Traore added a career-high 21 points while Nick Claxton was active inside as the Nets controlled the glass and stayed competitive deep into the night.

Boston, however, he relied on his stars when it mattered most. Brown finished with 27 points, while Peyton Pritchard erupted for 32, including key baskets late in games and overtime. The Celtics’ ball movement and defensive discipline eventually turned the game around, even though Brooklyn threatened to steal it multiple times.

For Boston, the narrow escape served as a reminder of the standard Brown described. With tougher matchups ahead and playoff positioning always in focus, the Celtics’ ability to consistently deliver that level of effort could be just as important as their talent.