Celtics defeat 76ers as Tatum and Brown's first meeting after trade draws attention
Boston beat Philadelphia 123-101, with Jayson Tatum scoring 21 points and Paul George adding 36, while former teammates Jaylen Brown posted 13 points for the 76ers.
Boston and Philadelphia faced off on Tuesday night, marking the first game in which former Celtics teammates Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown played against each other after Brown's offseason trade. The matchup attracted media focus on the players' relationship, which had been the subject of speculation following the trade.
In a pre-game exchange, Brown responded to a clip of Tatum’s reaction to the trade with a "cap" emoji on Instagram. When asked about the incident, Brown said, "Jayson's a great guy. Like I said, great family, hell of a basketball player, hell of a PR team. There's no beef, but it might be a little lamb chops, and some gravy, you know what I mean? He should stay ready at all times."
During the game, Tatum tapped Brown on the chest before the opening tip, an action that Brown did not acknowledge. Both players contributed modestly on the court: Tatum recorded 21 efficient points, while Brown managed 13 points and incurred foul trouble.
The Celtics secured a 123-101 victory, shooting 22 of 49 from three-point range. Paul George led the team with 36 points, filling the scoring gap left by Brown’s departure. The 76ers struggled offensively, and center Joel Embiid was listed on the injury report for part of the game.