Pierce has also declared his loyalty to the Celtics at every opportunity. He was in attendance during their game against the Phoenix Suns on Friday night. While acknowledging Pierce's presence during his postgame press conference, Brown made a notable admission.

Jaylen Brown's great game for the Boston Celtics is exactly what they needed. The star Celtics forward has been playing on a knee with a nasty bone bruise and related impingement, and it has been showing up in his play to the detriment of the team in recent games.