Jaylen Brown has zero plans to chat it up with Jayson Tatum on Tuesday night, and that’s the headline everyone should be watching when the 76ers face the Celtics at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Brown is clearly trying to slam the book shut on his Boston chapter and the rift with Tatum, telling ESPN, “It’s nothing to talk about. I mean, he’s on his side, I’m on my side. Just playing basketball. Both of us are trying to win, so nothing to talk about. Just check the ball up.” Oof.
The Beef Is Real, Even If They Downplay It
Despite the public dismissals, the history between these two runs deep. Brown spent a whole decade in Boston, nine seasons playing side-by-side with Tatum, even winning a championship. But that relationship? It’s seemingly totally gone since the blockbuster summer trade that sent Brown to the 76ers and Paul George to the Celtics. While Brown’s reps insist he never demanded a trade, the bad blood has been simmering. It boiled over again last month when Brown dropped a blue hat emoji on Instagram, responding to a video where Tatum claimed he was “caught off guard” by the trade. Brown’s emoji? A pretty clear jab that Tatum was lying. Tatum tried to play it cool, saying it “ain’t no f***ing Shaq and Kobe” situation, and Brown followed suit a day later, but not without some spice. Brown commented, “He’s got a great PR team. There’s no beef, but it might be a little lamb chops and some gravy. He should stay ready at all times.” That’s not exactly calling your buddy for dinner, is it?
Stats Don’t Lie, But The Silent Treatment Does
Their careers are definitely moving in different directions, but both guys are absolutely tearing it up this fall. Tatum’s averaging a monster 27.9 points and eight assists per game, leading Boston to an impressive 8-2 record. Brown, not to be outdone, is putting up 21.6 points and 6.7 rebounds per game for the 76ers, who are sitting pretty at 9-2 after a huge 127-121 win over the Chicago Bulls on Sunday. Brown himself dropped 29 points and pulled down seven rebounds in that Chicago game. So, the talent is undeniable, but the silent treatment ahead of their first face-off this season? That’s what really makes you wonder what’s going on behind the scenes. Brown says he has “no emotion towards anything” right now, but admits, “We’ll see how I feel when we get out there.”
Tuesday’s game in Philadelphia isn’t just another early-season matchup; it’s the first time these two former teammates and championship partners go head-to-head since the trade and the public back-and-forth. You know both guys will be bringing their A-game, but the real show might just be the absolute silence between them. Can they keep it professional, or will the “lamb chops and gravy” comment boil over on the court? Don’t miss it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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