Understated, but deliberate. Having something to say, but saying it quietly. With Ime Udoka in the building and the Celtics up against its Western peer, both second in their respective conferences, Monday night called for quiet confidence and intention.

The outfits seen on “JetBlue Runway” felt less like superficial fashion and more like affirmations and positive self-talk … subtle messages of focus and purpose that did not need to shout to be understood. 

Each ensemble spoke softly but carried weight.

Jaylen Brown wore a simple black puffer coat, not from his line. This is a departure from recent tunnel runway appearances regularly featuring apparel from the signature brand. 

On quick glance, Brown’s pregame coat looked like 741, but it was Prada. While the label and price point differ from 741, the message is the same: sleek, black, and sporty.

Beyond the whisper of quiet luxury, could Brown’s Prada coat have carried another message? Could a simple coat carry a deeper meaning beyond flexing wealth and style? There’s an undeniable connection to lyrics from Gunna’s “Prada Dem,” a song by a fellow ATLien and former collaborator: “I got the swag, Prada them. Shawty havin’ drip, proud of them. Boarded on the jet, out of here. 2024 our year.” 

Intentional or not, the coat’s aura felt aspirational.

Jayson Tatum, loud but never over the top. As much as he goes for the fancy stuff (Coach, Louis Vuitton, being in Vogue), a lot of his fits quietly highlight small brands, inclusive labels, and relatable streetwear. 

On Monday, he wore the “Duck Pond Sherpa” jacket in camo from Market Studios, a boutique brand “that makes you smile,” according to the tagline in bio. 

A fan of the brand wrote, “I need this sherpa with everything in my soul.”

Stylish but approachable, bold but not loud, the ready-to-wear piece channeled a whimsical, lighthearted energy — a possible reflection of Tatum’s vibe coming off a mostly successful road trip.

Jrue Holiday, generally quietly effective, kept his look very understated, very under the radar, opting for basic ball player fare — a sweatshirt and Nike … except for that hat with the word “SHOOTER” stamped on the front. 

Taken together, did Tatum’s duck sweater and Holiday’s hat (also available in camo) quietly express the team’s “hunted and hunter” duality? 

Minimal but meaningful.

Statements don’t have to scream. Sometimes they’re as simple as a coat, a camo sherpa, or a single word on a hat, clothing with just as much a sartorial message as it does a message about mindset and focus — which persisted throughout the game, but fell short after a hard-fought 48 that went to Rockets, 114-112.