Drama Unfolds: Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum's Tense Reunion

Segment Spotlight: Quick Hits From Pushing The Odds with Matt Perrault

Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum’s Awkward Exchange Overshadows Celtics-Sixers Matchup

The drama between Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum reached an uncomfortable point when Brown appeared to ignore his former teammate before the game. After spending years together and developing a relationship on and off the court, the tension between them was on full display.

As Tatum approached Brown at center court to shake his hand, Brown stood spinning a basketball instead of acknowledging him. The moment unfolded in front of the crowd and a national television audience, making an already awkward situation even more noticeable.

Brown later shook hands with every Celtics player except Tatum after the game. Tatum had made an effort before the game, so it was difficult to blame him for not trying again afterward. The entire exchange felt like a bitter breakup that had never been resolved.

Brown also failed to deliver the kind of performance expected in a revenge game. He got into foul trouble early, forced the issue offensively and finished with as many turnovers as made baskets. He recorded four points and four turnovers in 25 minutes while posting a game-worst minus-27 as the Celtics blew out the Sixers.

If Brown wanted to send Boston a message about what the Celtics had lost by trading him, the performance had the opposite effect. He remains a very good player, but the suggestion that he is one of the NBA’s top 10 players was firmly rejected.