Celtics’ Jayson Tatum Sends Blunt Message to Jaylen Brown Before Sixers Game

Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum downplayed the significance of facing former teammate Jaylen Brown ahead of Tuesday's matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers. Calling it just another game on the schedule, Tatum echoed Brad Stevens' philosophy that every contest counts as one. The game marks Brown's first appearance in Boston since being traded in the offseason, though both players dismissed talk of any personal feud.

Brown also brushed aside emotional storylines, saying there was nothing to talk about and expressing love for the city of Boston while treating the trade strictly as business. Both Eastern Conference contenders enter Tuesday's game on back-to-backs following Monday victories, with Boston defeating the Milwaukee Bucks 117-97 and Philadelphia topping the Chicago Bulls 127-121.