PHILADELPHIA — The Boston Celtics rolled past the Philadelphia 76ers 123-101 on Tuesday night, dominating a matchup marked by the icy reunion of former championship teammates Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
Paul George, traded to Boston over the summer in the deal that sent Brown to Philadelphia, led the charge with 36 points and six 3-pointers against his former squad. Tatum added 21 points for the Celtics, who picked up their ninth victory in 10 games, NBC Sports reported.
A Cold Greeting and Foul Trouble
The highly anticipated showdown between Tatum and Brown got off to a tense start before the opening tip. Tatum attempted to dap up Brown with a tap to the shoulder and a thump on the chest, but his longtime running mate ignored the gesture, according to NBC Sports. Tatum subsequently shared a handshake and a warm embrace with Philadelphia forward LeBron James.
Brown, who earned 2024 NBA Finals MVP honors during Boston’s title run, struggled throughout the night. He picked up two quick fouls in the opening frame, collected his fourth early in the second half, and finished with just 13 points. Tyrese Maxey paced Philadelphia with 24 points.
The Sixers also endured a scare late in the second quarter when center Joel Embiid landed awkwardly on a missed layup and curled up on the hardwood while VJ Edgecombe threw down a dunk. Embiid was able to run down the floor and hunched over as the horn sounded for halftime, with Boston ahead 62-51, NBC Sports reported.
The France Dinner and Offseason Fallout
Tension between the former Boston stars had been mounting publicly for weeks. ESPN insider Shams Charania reported Tuesday on NBA Today that Tatum and Brown had not spoken since late June, when the two had a dinner conversation in France.
That discussion occurred shortly after Boston offered Brown in a trade proposal for Giannis Antetokounmpo, who ultimately went to the Miami Heat, Charania reported. Days before Brown was dealt to the Sixers, Brown confronted Tatum at dinner to discuss their future together as a duo and ascertain where Tatum stood on the matter. Although witnesses described the exchange as a “heart-to-heart,” Charania said Brown walked away without clarity on his future.
The two spent nine seasons together in Boston, culminating in the 2023-24 NBA title. Last month, Tatum asserted in a YouTube video that he was caught off guard by the trade, an explanation Brown publicly answered with a cap emoji. Tatum later emphasized on video that he called and texted Brown immediately after the swap, adding, “This ain’t no f–king Shaq and Kobe.”
Brown downplayed any deep hostility when speaking to reporters before Tuesday’s meeting, though he hinted at lingering competitive friction. “It’s no beef, but it might be little lamb chops and some gravy, you know what I mean?” Brown said, per Bleacher Report. “He should stay ready at all times.”
Tuesday’s contest was the first of four scheduled regular-season meetings between Boston and Philadelphia, who could also cross paths later in the Eastern Conference postseason.
