Jaylen Brown Shouts Out Boston's 'Punch-First' Environment Ahead of Game 1 vs. Magic

The guard knows TD Garden is a special spot.

Boston Celtics' Jaylen Brown during a presser on April 19, 2025. / Noa Dalzell / X / Screensho

Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown is ready to go for the team's game 1 matchup vs. the Orlando Magic on Sunday afternoon—and he's not at all intimidated by the known craziness that is Boston's TD Garden during big-time Celtics games.

Asked what makes the Garden different than other arenas during the playoffs, Brown was equal parts unflinching and effusive, praising Boston's fans while bluntly recognizing them for the wild bunch that they are.

"The fans are crazy," Brown said in reply. "They love the game. It's a hostile environment, and it's an expectation of winning. You gotta [have] a punch-first mentality in Boston. And I identify with that."

Jaylen Brown on playing in front of the TD Garden crowd in the playoffs:

“The fans are crazy.”

“It’s a hostile environment, and an expectation of winning.”

“You gotta throw a punch-first mentality in Boston. And, I identify with that.”

(Q: @taylorcsnow) pic.twitter.com/TkxvK0z5lH

— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) April 19, 2025

Brown has been dealing with some right knee pain as of late and has missed a few sporadic games as a result. But head coach Joe Mazzulla reassured fans on Saturday that Brown will be ready to go vs. the Magic (without a minutes restriction), and that he's been able to perform in practice all week.

Hear that, Celtics fans? You can breathe a sigh of relief knowing Brown—who averaged 22.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists during the regular season—will be on the court Sunday afternoon.

Tip-off at TD Garden is slated for 3:30 p.m. ET.

---

More NBA on Sports Illustrated

feed