Jaylen Brown delivered the opening message with a pregame snub on Tuesday night. But it was Jayson Tatum, Paul George and the Boston Celtics who stole the spotlight in a blowout 123-101 win over Brown's Philadelphia 76ers.
The game saw the much-anticipated matchup between Tatum and Jaylen Brown since their media-frenzied split as Celtics teammates. Tatum finished the night with 21 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks.
While Brown, who was traded to the 76ers this offseason, got stuck in early foul trouble with three first-half fouls and couldn't find an offensive rhythm. He finished with 13 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 4 turnovers.
In the end, it was Paul George who led the attack against his former team, posting a game-high 36 points and 5 rebounds while shooting 14-of-22 from the field and 6-of-11 from three-point range. His dominance ensured that the Celtics maintained a comfortable lead throughout the second half.
As players took to the court before the opening tip, Tatum walked over to Brown - his former Celtics comrade - and offered a fist bump. Brown, who was busy spinning the basketball, acted as if Tatum didn't exist, shocking the 20,000-plus fans in Philadelphia.
The tension between the two stars has been a major talking point in the NBA this season. Fans and analysts alike have been dissecting their body language since the trade, making this encounter one of the most watched games of the regular season so far.
However, in postgame comments to reporters, Brown explained he was simply trying to focus rather than snub Tatum. He noted that his pre-game routine is intense and he often misses social cues when locked into his preparation for high-stakes matchups.
Despite the explanation, the optics of the moment dominated social media discussions. The Celtics' cohesive performance, however, proved that they have moved past the drama of the offseason, focusing instead on their championship aspirations.
The Celtics (9-2) in the Eastern Conference continue to look like a formidable force. Their ability to integrate new talent like Paul George while maintaining their core defensive identity has been key to their early season success.
Looking ahead, the team is preparing for a busy schedule. The coaching staff expressed satisfaction with the team's defensive rotations and offensive efficiency during this blowout victory.
The Celtics will face the Toronto Raptors on the road on 11 November 2026. Fans are eager to see if the team can maintain this momentum as they push for a top seed in the Eastern Conference standings.