Jaylen Brown Steps Up Leadership as Celtics Enter New Season

BOSTON, Mass. — Jaylen Brown is stepping into a larger leadership role as the Boston Celtics prepare for the upcoming NBA season. With several veteran players gone, Brown, the team’s longest-tenured player, is emphasizing his vocal presence during training camp.

After the Celtics lost four seasoned veterans through trades or free agency, including Jayson Tatum due to an Achilles injury, Brown aims to guide newcomers like Anfernee Simons and Luka Garza. “I think more guys are looking to hear my voice,” Brown said after a recent practice at the Auerbach Center. “Just being a little bit more vocal is important, but it’s about setting the tone on offense and defense.”

The Celtics’ roster now includes only a handful of familiar faces, with Brown, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard remaining from last season’s rotation. On the fitness front, Brown is determined to remain healthy after suffering injuries that sidelined him for 19 games last season. Following surgery to repair a knee issue, he is now fully participating in camp.

“It’s been pretty seamless,” Brown noted. “The harder the practices, the more my body adapts. I’m leading the charge on physicality and getting in shape.” Head coach Joe Mazzulla praised Brown’s dedication, stating, “He’s been tremendous through the first couple of days of training camp.”

With the Celtics opening their preseason against the Memphis Grizzlies, Brown is focused on ensuring the team sets a strong foundation. “We need to be the smartest team out there,” he said. “The intensity needs to be there from day one.” The Celtics, expected to face more challenges this season, are committed to proving their capabilities despite the roster turnover.