Video: Jaylen Brown Praises Jayson Tatum's 'Selflessness' in Celtics' NBA Title Run

The battle within the battle during the 2024 NBA Finals was the one for series MVP between Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, and, while the latter took it home, it was the former's selflessness that stood out to his teammate.

"It's been fantastic," Brown said of his partnership with Tatum during an interview with ESPN's Malika Andrews (50-second mark).

"I can't speak enough about J.T. and his sacrifice and his selflessness all season long. We won as a team, we played as a team, we trusted the game plan. And J.T. was the head of that snake. For us to be where we are, J.T. had to be who he was."

That selflessness was on full display during Monday's closeout game when Tatum dished out 11 assists in the 106-88 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. It was the second time in the series he finished with double-digit assist totals.

While Tatum led the Celtics in points, rebounds and assists during the series, it was Brown who won the Finals MVP in part because of his strong play on both ends.

It likely didn't help Tatum's cause that he shot just 38.8 percent from the field against Dallas, but he saved his best performance for last with 31 points, 11 dimes, eight rebounds and two steals.

There is no doubt Tatum is one of the best players in the league, but playing on such a talented team likely undercuts his own individual numbers. There are only so many shots to go around, and Brown, Jrue Holiday, Al Horford, Derrick White, Kristaps Porziņģis and others are going to take some of them every night.

But the star player was clearly willing to sacrifice to help his team reach the NBA's mountaintop, and he and Brown finally did just that after coming so close with appearances in five of the last seven Eastern Conference Finals.

It would be anything but a surprise if there was another selfless season and deep playoff run in store next season.