Jaylen Brown Draws Attention With Jayson Tatum Snub Before 76ers-Celtics Clash

The Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics faced off for the first time this NBA season on Tuesday night, with a heated pregame exchange between former teammates Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum drawing significant attention. Despite players from both sides initially engaging in friendly hugs and daps, Brown and Tatum were noticeably absent from this camaraderie.

As Brown spun the basketball on his finger, Tatum approached him with a tap on the arm, followed by several taps on his chest. However, Brown did not reciprocate the gesture, causing a stir among fans on social media who took to platforms like X to voice their reactions to the apparent snub. The incident has fueled speculation about the tense relationship between Brown and Tatum, who had won the championship together in 2024.

Brown, who earned the 2025 NBA Finals MVP award with the Celtics, was traded to the 76ers in a major offseason move, leaving him disappointed and frustrated with the way things unfolded. During a press conference, Tatum stated that he had no ill will towards Brown and was done discussing the topic further. Brown reportedly had no intention of approaching Tatum before the game, emphasizing that they were both focused on winning the basketball game.

Ultimately, Tatum and the Celtics emerged victorious in the head-to-head matchup, with Tatum contributing 13 points, four rebounds, and a block, while the 76ers finished with a 62-51 lead, thanks in part to Paul George's impressive performance.