Jaylen Brown elevates his game as Celtics offense runs through him

So the rematch with the Jazz, who handed the Celtics one of their most dispiriting defeats of the season in early November, becomes a crucial game in Boston’s quest to not only remain competitive in the Eastern Conference, but also maintain a top-four spot.

Brown is the team’s clear leader with Jayson Tatum recovering from injury. Tatum goes on every road trip, rehabbing and training, and he sees firsthand the elevation of Brown’s game. Regardless of when Tatum joins the Celtics, he’ll be teaming with a player who is at the peak of his abilities, and he’s comfortable in his adjusted role as a primary option.

“I’m just playing my game, that’s really it. I’m just playing my game,” Brown said when asked about his success. “I can take the shots that I feel comfortable with. I can attack when I want. So it’s more about rhythm. So, I’m in a really good rhythm. The rhythm is kind of around me, so I’m able to dictate where, when I want to go, what spots I want to hit throughout the year.”

Brown is in his 10th season and is playing with a freedom he’s never known. The difference in his shooting stats between this season and last season is stark. For example, Brown attempted 98 shots last season from 15 to 19 feet, or 42.9 percent.

This year, on 37 percent of the season, Brown has made 124 such shots and made a surprising rate of 55.6 percent. Last season, Brown attempted 80 shots from 16 to 24 feet. This season, he has already taken 116.

“I’m just aggressive, I take what the defense gives me. I also take what I want from the defense, but I’m just patient and I trust my teammates,” he said. “Kind of a balance between letting the game come to you and then being aggressive at times. I think I’m getting really good at that.”

He lived in the mid-range and became a brilliant shooter at that distance. He said he enjoys being the focal point of the offense and that while that streak will eventually change when Tatum returns, it could benefit the Celtics in the long run as Brown has cemented his status as an untradeable cornerstone.

“This is the first time everything that happens in the season has been presented around me,” he said. “It’s never been the case in my career where whatever Jaylen wants to do, that’s what we’re going to do. We’ve had other players and things like that that we’ve had to figure out. This is the first time we’re going to play at your pace, at your pace. We’re going to put you in a position where you can be successful.”

He said the new offensive responsibility required his game to change and improve significantly.

“And I think that makes a big difference to me, like why we see it, [and why] I see some of the productivity I have now,” Brown said. “But you know, in the past we’ve had other star and talented players. We must therefore do what is necessary to win matches and win a championship. I have always been okay with that, but this year is just a new year, more suited to me, from year to year things change. Things might change in the future, but I’m enjoying it and making the most of it.

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla was more complimentary of Brown’s defense and play. In one sequence Sunday, Brown could have taken on three defenders for a mid-range jumper, but instead found a wide-open Hugo González at the elbow for a swish 3-pointer.

“It’s extremely difficult for a guy like him to play balanced basketball and team basketball,” Mazzulla said. “You saw, you know, the assists throughout the streak, whether it was for Hugo and Derrick [White]. Not only is it extremely difficult to do this, but it is also extremely difficult to play basketball in a balanced manner. I think that’s something you know he does consistently for us, whether it’s his play or his defense on both ends of the floor.

Brown said he’s not done turning the heads of his detractors yet. There are still a lot of games left and the Celtics need them.

“From where I started my career, to the MVP chants and even being in a conversation, it’s pretty cool,” he said. “I feel like I still have something to show this season, so I’m still excited about that. We just have to take it one game at a time.”

Gary Washburn is a Globe columnist. He can be contacted at gary.washburn@globe.com. Follow him @GwashburnGlobe.