Celtics and 76ers Preseason Game Highlights Tension Between Tatum and Brown

During Saturday’s preseason matchup, the atmosphere between Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown was noticeably tense. The two NBA stars completely ignored each other during warmups, which—well, it suggested that there are still unresolved issues between them.

In what was their first encounter since a dramatic offseason trade, both players acted as if the other didn’t exist, even though they were just steps apart. It was kind of awkward, really.

Last season, Brown was crucial for the Celtics, averaging 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists. His contributions were vital in keeping Boston at the top of the Eastern Conference, especially when Tatum was sidelined due to an Achilles injury.

At the beginning of last season, the Celtics faced quite a bit of skepticism—many believed they might struggle following the departures of key players like Jrue Holiday, Al Horford, and Kristaps Porziņģis. Tatum’s injury only added to those doubts. However, Brown stepped up and helped secure a top-two seed in the East. Unfortunately, the team’s season ended disappointingly after a dramatic collapse against Philadelphia in the first round of the playoffs, despite having a 3-1 series lead.

Over the course of the season, the relationship between Brown and the Celtics soured. In his return to Boston, the five-time All-Star wasn’t even seen on the bench during the game. According to NBC Sports Boston, he spent most of the 144-106 loss in the locker room.

As one reporter noted during the game, “Jaylen Brown, a former Celtic, is in the building. He’s not on the bench. So, we believe he’s back in the locker room here in Boston for the first time since he was traded away this summer.” That statement seemed to underline the discomfort around his presence.

On the court, Tatum managed to score 23 points along with five rebounds and four assists against a mostly shorthanded 76ers, who were without Joel Embiid and LeBron James.

Brown’s official return to TD Garden is set for January 21. Before that, the Celtics and 76ers will face off for the first of their four meetings on November 10 in Philadelphia.