Tatum beats Brown in 123-101 Celtics win over Sixers

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown traded the cold shoulder during pregame warmups on Tuesday, marking the first in-person meeting since Boston traded Brown to Philadelphia in the summer. The two former teammates kept a visible distance on the court at the Wells Fargo Center. Tatum warmed up with his new Celtics teammates while Brown shot jumpers at the opposite end. Neither player attempted a shot at the other before the tipoff.

The awkwardness continued as the game approached. Tatum tried to dap Brown just before the start, but the Sixers forward ignored the gesture. Brown then moved on to hug his new teammate, LeBron James. The interaction played out in front of a crowd that had watched the two players form one of the league's most dynamic duos in Boston for several seasons.

Boston dominated the contest, winning 123 to 101. Tatum finished with 21 points and six rebounds in 32 minutes. Brown struggled with foul trouble early and recorded 13 points. Neither player spoke to reporters before the game, maintaining the quiet tension that has defined their recent history.

Brown addressed the split earlier in the week, stating there was nothing left to discuss. He described the situation as simple, noting that each player is on his respective side and the ball will decide the outcome. The trade has proven successful for both franchises. The 76ers, now featuring Brown and James, have a 9-2 record. The Celtics hold the second-best record in the Eastern Conference at 8-2.

The deal was driven by salary cap constraints. The two players' contracts would have consumed roughly 70 percent of Boston's cap space. The Celtics chose to keep Tatum, who missed most of last season recovering from an Achilles tendon tear. Brown, who averaged career-best 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists last year, was sent to Philadelphia in exchange for Paul George and draft picks.

George, the 36-year-old forward, also returned to Philadelphia for the game. He spent two seasons with the Sixers before joining the Clippers and is now averaging 20.4 points in Boston. George said the matchup did not hold extra meaning for him, though he acknowledged the city remains a tremendous sports town.

Sixers coach Nick Nurse noted the history between the two players would likely lead to intense one-on-one competition. The Celtics and Sixers will next face their respective opponents later this week as both teams continue their regular season schedules.