newsweek
Jaylen Brown's much-anticipated return to TD Garden as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers promised a charged reunion with his former team. Instead, his evening concluded before the game even began, thrusting his rapport with Jayson Tatum back into the public eye.
According to reports, the unease surfaced during pregame warmups. Brown and Tatum exchanged no words, heightening interest around their first encounter as adversaries. Although Brown went through an extended on-court warmup, he was ruled out prior to tipoff. He observed Philadelphia's matchup with Boston from the locker room, delaying the expected reunion until the regular season.
A noticeable distance has existed since Boston dealt Brown to Philadelphia in July for Paul George and draft picks. In August, Brown revealed he had not really spoken with Tatum since the trade. He emphasized that he still respected Tatum, though the trade process unsettled him. Brown described leaving Boston as an emotional ordeal but insisted his focus remained forward.
Tatum has challenged assumptions about their relationship. In September, he stated, "For me, I love that guy," referencing their nine seasons together, five conference finals appearances, and two NBA Finals. He characterized the split as the business of basketball, not something to grieve.
The breakup came after a challenging season for Boston. Tatum missed much of it while recovering from an Achilles injury, leaving Brown as the team's primary option. The trade stunned fans, sparking speculation about their relationship, though neither has confirmed a personal feud.
Boston then overwhelmed Philadelphia 144-106 in Saturday's preseason game. Payton Pritchard scored 25 points and Tatum added 23 as the Celtics dominated the boards. The shorthanded Sixers were without Brown, LeBron James, and Joel Embiid. Rookie VJ Edgecombe led Philadelphia with 19 points, while Tyrese Maxey managed eight.
Key Analysis
Brown's return generated more questions than answers. The first regular-season meeting now carries added intrigue.
Originally reported by newsweek.