Jaylen Brown was Boston’s leading scorer in its 92-88 win over Golden State on Thursday night. Brown went for 22 points on 7-for-18 shooting and 3-for-8 from downtown. Additionally, the second-year guard out of Cal pulled down seven rebounds, blocked two shots, and had a pair of the steals in what was an impressive all-around performance.
Even more impressive than his performance in the box score was that Brown was able to do this with a heavy heart. Brown’s best friend, a man named Trevin Steedy, passed away on Wednesday. He spoke on the loss after the game, and understandably, he was really shaken up over the emotional rollercoaster that was the last 24 hours of his life.
Emotional Jaylen Brown on playing after the loss of a friend. pic.twitter.com/wTooFBfKRE
— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) November 17, 2017
Brad Stevens gave Brown the option to play on Thursday, and ultimately, Brown wanted to go out there and help the Celtics.
Jaylen told Brad he couldn’t play 2 hours til tip. Brad said, “'Basketball in these type of situations…' He said take as long as you need. Then I called him back and said, ‘I want to get this win, I want to be there for my teammates.’ And he was like, ‘I’m OK with that, too.’"
— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) November 17, 2017
Jaylen Brown played after the death of a friend. Brad Stevens wasn't sure Brown would play and compared his talks roday to those he had with Isaiah Thomas before the playoffs last season.
— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) November 17, 2017
Brown’s decision to play stemmed from a conversation he had with Steedy’s family, who helped inspire him to take the floor.
Jaylen Brown on playing after death of his friend: "After talking to his family, they inspired me to come out and play. I wasn’t in any shape to come out. I didn’t want to leave my room. But they inspired me to come out and play. And I came out and played in his spirit."
— Brian Robb (@BrianTRobb) November 17, 2017
Kyrie Irving gave him some words of encouragement prior to the game, and let Brown know that Steedy’s spirit was with him when he took the floor.
Kyrie to Jaylen: "I knew exactly where the game ball was going to. I told him before the game, the physical presence that you lost, that was just the physical realm. The energy that your best friend was carrying is still with you, so don’t you ever forget that."
— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) November 17, 2017
It’s sometimes hard to forget that athletes, no matter their physical gifts and sometimes larger-than-life personalities, are human beings whose lives feature moments of unfathomable heartache. This is especially true for someone as young as Brown, who is only 21 and had to go through the loss of his best friend a day before one of the biggest days he’ll have at work this year.
And yet he went out, played, and was a key cog in the Celtics’ machine as they got a win over the defending champions. Jaylen Brown is one tough dude.
