Jaylen Brown Calls on the Celtics to Show Greater Urgency: 'It's Up to Leadership to Make Sure We Don't Drop the Ball'

The Celtics have likely lost out on the top spot in the East, and they're one game ahead of the third-seeded Sixers.

After their 104-102 win against the Timberwolves Wednesday night, the Celtics are 6-5 since the All-Star break. That includes three-straight losses and four in five games.

Their other defeat in that stretch was Monday in Houston vs. a Rockets team that ended that night tied for the fewest wins in the NBA with 16.

The consequence is Boston being 2.5 games behind the Bucks with 12 left in the regular season and likely missing out on the top seed in the Eastern Conference. And despite winning the first three tilts in their season series with the Sixers, the Celtics are only a game ahead of them and will play them again in Philadelphia.

Jaylen Brown, who registered a game-high 35 points in Boston's win over the Timberwolves, expressed the following about the need for the defending Eastern Conference champions to demonstrate more urgency as the playoffs approach.

"Trying to take care of business. We all know what we're capable of, so it's up to leadership to make sure we don't drop the ball and make sure everybody feels empowered. As the season has continued on, we've found different ways where I've been challenged as a leader, and this was a little bit one of those moments where we need a little bit of urgency.

"So, this is a moment where you've got to step up, talk more, step up, and be a leader in times of adversity. We dropped a couple (of) games, and those are the moments where you've got to step up and find ways to win and challenge our teammates. We've got a long road trip. We've still got what, three or four games left? The challenge is to take that challenge every single night."

As for how Brown challenges himself?

"I challenge myself. Any time adversity hits, those are the moments, those are the moments you look to; those are the moments I look to; When everybody is feeling down, or there's a lot of, the energy's low, those are the moments where I'm like, 'ok, let's get it going, ok, let's come out and play, let's play with a little bit more urgency, let's play with a little bit more fire because those are the moments that matter the most, in my opinion.

"Everything's cool when everything's fine; when everybody's hitting shots, but when the boat is going down, who's going to step up, who's going to be ready to go, and I pride myself on being one of those guys."

Brown also shared specifics about what that looks like, including him and fellow All-Star Jayson Tatum communicating more frequently at a time when the Celtics need to come together to play at their best.

"Communicating. And I think that was a big thing. It started with me and Jayson, me and Jayson communicating a lot more. We were spending more time with each other as the season is going toward the playoffs cause I think our communication it's improved and improved down the line. We (are) all in this together, man. It's not about who's scoring the most points; it's about who's getting the win at the end of the night, especially this time of year, so I think that's all we're really focused on, and we've just got to keep that the emphasis."

Further Reading

Jayson Tatum Discusses His Hard Fall in Third Quarter of Celtics' Win vs. Timberwolves

Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Win vs. Timberwolves: Boston's Defense Keys Bounce-Back Victory

Jayson Tatum Opens Up About Damon Stoudamire Leaving Celtics for Georgia Tech

Celtics Convey What They're Focused on Improving as the Playoffs Approach

From the Celtics' Offensive Approach to What He Blames Himself for, Jayson Tatum Addresses Loss to a Rockets Team with 16 Wins

The Celtics' Identity Has Changed for the Worst, But There's Time to Recalibrate