Boston Celtics rookie Jaylen Brown got his first career start Thursday and had to the unenviable task of facing off against LeBron James. It’s a tall order for anyone but especially for a 20-year-old who had yet to reach double figures in scoring after five games.
Well, if the rookie was nervous about having to face the four-time MVP, he didn’t show it. In the second quarter, Brown took LeBron off the dribble, drove baseline and then hammered home a two-handed dunk as all James could do was look on.
Brown appears well on his way for his first double-digit scoring night, with nine points on 4-of-8 shooting in the first half. He actually outscored James, who headed into halftime with just six points.
But the Celtics didn’t take advantage of their rookie’s strong half, trailing 68-51 at the break.
