Jaylen Brown snubbed from All-NBA first team: debate erupts
Jaylen Brown left off the All-NBA First Team for 2025-26 despite a standout season with the Celtics. Teammates and fans quickly reacted to the decision
The release of the 2025-26 All-NBA awards sparked plenty of conversation, especially around the Boston Celtics. The biggest talking point was Jaylen Brown being left off the First Team, a decision that even left some of his teammates confused.
The news arrived Sunday evening, shortly before Game 4 of the 2026 Western Conference Finals. As always, the selections honored the season’s elite players, but the annual debate over who truly deserves those five spots exploded immediately.
In a season where Boston frequently had to play without Jayson Tatum, Brown took on the burden of carrying the team.
The numbers back it up:
- 28.7 points per game
- 6.9 rebounds per game
- 5.1 assists per game
A true leader’s impact, both on and off the court, during a season in which the Celtics were expected to take a step back but still managed to finish with 56 wins.
And yet, despite all of that, Brown was left out of the First Team.
The First Team and the controversial choices
The five players selected for the All-NBA First Team were:
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- Nikola Jokic
- Victor Wembanyama
- Luka Doncic
- Cade Cunningham
A star-studded lineup that’s difficult to argue against as a whole. That’s exactly why the bar for entry has become incredibly unforgiving.
Celtics reaction: “Second Team????”
One person who clearly didn’t agree with the decision was Ron Harper Jr., who took to social media to express his disbelief.
His reaction was direct and to the point:
Second team????
Ron Harper Jr.
Despite the disappointment of missing the First Team, the recognition still carries significant weight. Brown joins an elite group on the Second All-NBA Team, alongside names such as:
- Jalen Brunson
- Kevin Durant
- Kawhi Leonard
- Donovan Mitchell
In other words, we’re still talking about one of the most exclusive groups of NBA superstars.
Jaylen Brown delivered a season worthy of center stage, but the level of competition in today’s NBA makes every All-NBA Team selection an intense battle. Boston remains split between pride in its star’s performance and frustration over what many view as a major First Team snub.