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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 22: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics dunks during the first half of their game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on February 22, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Luiza Moraes/Getty Images)

The Boston Celtics made a big move to get a big man at the NBA trade deadline, acquiring Nikola Vucevic from the Chicago Bulls for Anfernee Simons. Vucevic has proved to be a great add thus far, adding depth to the Celtics center position.

Vucevic is now in his 15th season in the NBA, and has played with his fair share of leaders, and became one in Chicago. But now that he’s in Boston, he’s experiencing a new type of leadership from C’s star Jaylen Brown.

“I didn’t know how talkative he was before,” Vucevic said. “He doesn’t always say a lot, but when he does say something… it helps the team. The way he approaches the game, the way he approaches work when we do stuff, you can tell he’s very committed; guys respond to him.”

Since coming to Boston, Vucevic has averaged 11.8 points per game and 8.2 rebounds per game. He’s averaging just over 24 minutes per game, splitting time pretty evenly with fellow big man Neemias Queta.

 

Vucevic Praises Brown’s Strong Season

In the absence of Jayson Tatum, Brown has stepped up big time for the Celtics this season. JB is averaging 29 points per game, fourth best in the NBA. Brown has been a catalyst for a team that was projected to struggle without Tatum, so much so that he is in the running for MVP, though Shai Gilgeous-Alexander may be running away with it.

Still, he’s been the leader the Celtics have needed. Vucevic experienced that leadership first hand the instant he arrived in Boston.

“Even with me, the first couple days I was here he helped me out with stuff on the court… and he also helped me with a lot of stuff off the court,” Vucevic said.

Vucevic has played many a game against the Celtics in his 15 seasons in the league, plenty against Brown.

“He’s a hell of a player, he’s having a hell of a year,” Vucevic continued. “Played against him for a lot of years, so it’s great for me to get to see the other side of it rather than just playing against him.”

 

Celtics Awaiting Tatum’s Return to the Court

Jayson Tatum has missed nearly a year of basketball since he tore his achilles tendon in last years’ playoffs. Now that his return date seems to be imminent, plenty of questions have come up regarding how both he and Brown will work together upon his return.

NBA insider Chris Mannix answered that question this morning.

“I think Tatum knows coming back he’s stepping onto Jaylen Brown’s team,” Mannix reported.

Brown has led the team so well this season that people have speculated that Tatum may just want to sit the year out in the fear of being overshadowed by Brown. Most of these rumors have been shut down rather quickly, but Tatum will certainly be on a minutes restriction when he comes back, though he will most likely get right back into the starting lineup.

Boston plays tonight, March 4, against the Charlotte Hornets.

Matt Skillings Matt Skillings is a Boston based sports journalist and a graduate of UMass Amherst, where he majored in journalism and communication. Matt covered the UMass men’s ice hockey team for three years for the Massachusetts Daily Collegian. He was also a media intern for the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod Baseball League for two summers. Matt has additional bylines with the New England Hockey Journal, the Boston Globe and MassLive. More about Matt Skillings

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