The Celtics entered Monday’s Game 7 against the Heat with an opportunity to make history as the NBA’s first team to come back from a 3–0 series deficit. Instead, they walked away reeling after a 103–84 blowout loss that leaves the franchise with some big questions about their immediate and long-term future.
One in particular after his Game 7 performance: What will the team do about Jaylen Brown?
Brown struggled mightily on Monday night, shooting 8-for-23 from the field for 19 points and eight turnovers. He became just the fifth player in the past 45 years to have at least eight turnovers in a Game 7, per ESPN Stats & Info.
Brown has one year left on his contract and is set to make nearly $32 million next season. He’s also eligible for a supermax extension after earning a second-team All-NBA selection, leaving the Celtics with a big financial decision to make. Brown was asked about his future with the team after the game, but declined to speculate on what the offseason might hold, instead taking responsibility for Monday night’s result.
“We failed. I failed and it’s hard to think about anything else right now.”
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 30, 2023
Jaylen Brown after losing Game 7
(via @NBATV)pic.twitter.com/Tr9CffgFi8
“I expected to win today and move on. That’s what my focus was on, that’s what my focus has been on,” Brown said. “We failed, I failed, and it’s hard to think about anything else right now, to be honest. We’ll cross that bridge when we get there.”
Brown averaged 19 points per game for the series but turned the ball over 25 times in the process. He also struggled to find his shot, going 7-for-43 (16.3%) on three-pointers.
Brown has spent his entire NBA career with the Celtics after the team selected him with the third pick in the 2016 draft. He’s made two All-Star teams and been a part of five runs to the Eastern Conference finals in the past seven years.
