“He’s Got My Respect”: Jaylen Brown Clears Up Beef Rumors With Cooper Flagg

; Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) controls the ball as Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) defends during the first quarter at American Airlines Center

Rivalries between NBA players often begin in the least expected moments, stemming from on-court incidents that neither party really intended to escalate. But such is the nature of competition. Just take Jaylen Brown’s dig at Cooper Flagg last week, for instance.

During the Boston Celtics’ 110-100 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, Feb 4, Brown was visibly frustrated with the calls going in favor of Flagg. He did not like it one bit that the rookie got to the line 10 times in the game.

Flagg scored 36, which eventually went in vain. But an exasperated Brown still barked mid-game. “He’s a rookie, and he’s got 10 free throws,” he shouted. Seeing the backlash online and rumors of an emerging “beef”, the Celtics star has not wasted time to clear the air.

“My boy is him. He’s got my respect for sure. He scored 30 on us on all floaters,” Brown said on one of his streams. He also praised the teenager for being one of the best in league history for his age. “For a 19-year-old? Spectacular,” added Brown.

There’s not an iota of exaggeration in Brown’s words. Flagg got off to a slow start in the 25-26 season after being drafted #1 overall in the 2025 Draft. And he’s since become a phenom, averaging 20.3 points per game, with multiple 30-point outings in recent weeks.

Flagg is also the favorite to win Rookie of the Year, which doesn’t come as a surprise. What’s even more staggering is the fact that he is adapting well to the point guard position, which many felt would limit him.

Brown, like the other established stars and veterans, may lose their head mid-game, with Flagg outperforming them. But looking back, they’ll only have respect and love for the star in the making.

Post Edited By: Leslie Xavier
boston celtics Cooper Flagg Dallas Mavericks Jaylen Brown

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Somin Bhattacharjee

Basketball Editor Somin Bhattacharjee first discovered the game during the 2014 FIBA World Cup. Not long after, he turned to the NBA and found himself drawn to the Golden State Warriors — right at the start of Stephen Curry’s rise. Over time, the admiration turned into full-blown support for the team, one that continues even as the Curry era approaches its twilight. A true hoophead, Somin also follows EuroLeague basketball closely and enjoys exploring the game beyond the NBA. Though holding a bachelor's degree in marketing, Somin discovered his true calling in writing. Since 2021, he has penned over 3,000 articles for TheSportsRush, covering everything from breaking news to sharp opinion pieces and detailed exclusives. He thrives on writing about in-game moments and the reactions that make basketball a uniquely emotional sport. Beyond basketball, Somin plays different sports including soccer and remains a passionate fan of Spanish football giants Real Madrid

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