The Boston Celtics cruised past the Bucks 133-101 on Friday night in Milwaukee. Jaylen Brown scored 26 points after pouring in 43 points against the Miami Heat two nights earlier. Jayson Tatum fell one assist short of consecutive triple-doubles. Neither Brown nor Tatum played in the fourth. They didn’t need to.
Boston improved to 52-25 with five regular season games remaining. The Celtics have won nine of their last eleven and hold the second seed in the East. The postseason is right around the corner.
Before the game, Brown was asked about a topic that has followed him for years.
Brown Addresses the Left Hand Critics
For years, the basketball internet has had a running joke about Jaylen Brown and his left hand. The criticism was simple. He couldn’t go left. Defenders shaded him to that side. Analysts pointed it out on film breakdowns. Social media turned it into a meme.
Brown admitted there was something to it, revealing a reason why.
“I think there was some truth to it,” Brown said. “I had a major surgery on my left wrist in 2021 and then I reinjured it in 2023… at one point I could barely dribble the ball with my left hand.”
The admission reframed years of criticism. What fans and analysts interpreted as a skill deficiency was actually a physical limitation caused by two significant wrist injuries. Brown was playing through pain and restriction.
How Brown Has Answered the Critics
The left hand that once held him back has become part of a complete offensive arsenal this season.
Brown has put together a historic individual season, averaging 28.7 points per game on the year. He has seven 40-point performances this season. Wednesday’s 43-point explosion in Miami was his latest masterclass.
The growth extends beyond scoring. Brown’s playmaking has reached a new level. His ability to read the floor and create for teammates has elevated the entire offense.
The wrist is healthy. The skill has gone to another level. The player that critics once mocked for being one-dimensional with the ball in his hands is now an MVP candidate playing the best basketball of his career. The jokes don’t land the same way anymore.
GettyBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MARCH 04: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics reacts after making a basket against the Charlotte Hornets during the first half at the TD Garden on March 04, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)
Celtics Roll Into Final Stretch
The scoring was spread across the roster in Milwaukee, with contributions from every corner of the rotation. Sam Hauser, Neemias Queta, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard all contributed alongside Brown and Tatum. The balanced production has become a hallmark of this team down the stretch.
Tatum continues to build momentum since his March 6 return from the torn Achilles. He is averaging 21.3 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game and Tatum has been a consistent presence in the lineup since returning. The partnership with Brown is looking as good as it has ever been.
Nikola Vucevic remains the only player sidelined as he works his way back from a fractured right ring finger. Boston hosts the Toronto Raptors next on Easter Sunday at TD Garden.
Final Word for the Celtics
The left hand jokes followed Brown for years. He heard them all. He let the work speak for itself.
What nobody knew was how much those wrist injuries took from him. Surgery in 2021. A reinjury in 2023. Struggling to dribble with his left hand at one point during his career.
Brown didn’t make excuses while it was happening. He fixed it quietly and came back better than ever. If holding up his Finals MVP with his left hand wasn’t enough, his 2026 season has surely put the jokes to rest.
Brown is having a career year. The Celtics are dominating. The playoffs are approaching fast.
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