Boston continued its strong start to the season with a 123-101 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night. The win came just days after the Celtics traded forward Jaylen Brown to the Sixers, ending a partnership that had produced a 2024 NBA championship.
Trade sparks tension on the court
According to ESPN insider Shams Charania, Brown and Tatum last spoke face‑to‑face at a dinner in France last June, where Brown confronted Tatum about his future in Boston. The conversation was the final interaction before the trade was finalized. Boston’s front office had been exploring a deal for Giannis Antetokounmpo, but when that fell through, the organization turned its attention to Brown.
Brown reportedly approached Tatum at the dinner table to gauge where Tatum stood on the situation. After the trade was completed, Tatum attempted to reach out by phone and text, but Brown did not respond.
Cold reception at tip‑off
When the two teams met in Philadelphia, Tatum walked over to Brown before tip‑off and tapped him on the chest as a greeting. Brown gave no response, locked his eyes on the basket, and proceeded to the free‑throw line without a handshake or a dap.
When asked before the game whether he planned to clear the air, Brown said, “There’s nothing to talk about.” He then led the Celtics in the opening face‑off, and the team never looked back.
Game recap
Boston built a sizable lead early and never relinquished it. Brown contributed 13 points for the Sixers, while Tatum scored 21 on 8‑for‑17 shooting for the Celtics. The Celtics’ balanced attack, combined with solid defense, allowed them to pull away and finish with a comfortable margin.
After the final buzzer, Brown hugged several former teammates before heading to the locker room, again offering no words to Tatum.
Background on the former duo
Drafted in consecutive years—Brown third overall in 2016 and Tatum third overall in 2017—the pair helped Boston reach five conference finals, two NBA Finals, and capture the 2024 NBA title. Tatum earned First Team All‑NBA honors, while Brown was named Eastern Conference Finals MVP and Finals MVP in 2024.
Following the trade, Tatum addressed the media, stating, “This ain’t no f—ing Shaq and Kobe. There’s no beef.” Brown later responded on Instagram with a blue cap emoji and a brief comment acknowledging Tatum’s statement, adding, “It’s no beef. Jayson comes from a wonderful family. He’s a hell of a basketball player. He’s got a great PR team. It’s no beef, but it might be a little lambchops and some gravy.”
Looking ahead
The Celtics remain a top contender in the Eastern Conference, while the Sixers will look to integrate Brown into their rotation. The on‑court rivalry between the former teammates adds an extra storyline to future matchups.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
