“This ain’t no f*** Shaq and Kobe. There’s no beef,” Tatum told reporters, clearing the air about their relationship despite fans continuing to dissect the behind-the-scenes drama on social media.

Tatum looked much sharper in Boston’s second game of the season, raising expectations for his solo leadership as the Celtics navigate their first campaign without Brown by his side.

While Tatum adjusts to carrying the mantle alone in Boston, Brown is settling into his new role in Philadelphia. The Sixers have their sights set on a championship run behind LeBron James, who recently reached another career milestone against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Tatum looks increasingly comfortable in his return

Rather than forcing plays or barreling into crowded lanes to prove his burst is back, Tatum is letting the game come to him. His shot creation looks fluid once again: he is decisively planting into his trademark step-backs, elevating smoothly on mid-range pull-ups, and driving without the hesitation that often follows an extended lower-body rehab.

That comfort extends to his playmaking. Tatum isn’t measuring his impact purely in the box score; he is manipulating defensive rotations, using his length to read passing lanes over double-teams, and whipping crisp skip passes to shooters in rhythm.

When defenses collapse on him, he seamlessly shifts into a facilitator, demonstrating complete trust in head coach Joe Mazzulla’s spacing principles and his teammates’ timing.

Most telling is his aggression late in games. In crunch time, Tatum is actively hunting contact, attacking the rim with authority, and finishing through traffic without a second thought.

Key takeaways

• Jayson Tatum addressed Jaylen Brown’s trade to the Philadelphia 76ers after Boston’s game.
• “There’s no beef,” Jayson Tatum stated, denying any feud with Jaylen Brown.
• LeBron James reached a career milestone against the Cleveland Cavaliers for Philadelphia.

Tatum delivered a blunt, six-word response upon learning Brown was dealt to an Atlantic Division rival. “You traded him down the street?” Tatum asked during an appearance on YouTube’s The Sit Down podcast.

Although Tatum seemed shocked by Brown’s move to Philadelphia 76ers, NBA fans on social media raised eyebrows at the clip. Commentary quickly flooded the internet, with fans pointing out: “He wasn’t mad they traded him, just mad it was to Philly,” “First words were ‘where’ and not ‘why’, he wanted him gone,” and “Yeah, he wanted him traded, just not that close.”

While Brown spoke publicly about his departure and reflected warmly on his years in Boston, fans continue to speculate whether behind-the-scenes friction between the two stars ultimately accelerated the trade.

What did the Celtics lose without Brown on the roster?

Without Jaylen Brown, the Celtics lose their premier rim-pressurer, secondary shot creator, and most dependable multi-positional wing defender. Brown consistently embraced the toughest defensive assignments against elite perimeter scorers while easing the burden on Tatum by attacking transition lanes, relentlessly pressuring the paint, and generating offense in isolated sets.

Off the court, Boston surrendered an established veteran leader and proven playoff performer who served as a cornerstone of their championship culture. His absence drastically thins out Boston’s wing depth, forcing role players into expanded roles and leaving the offense far more predictable and reliant on Tatum to carry the scoring load.

The connection that Tatum can make this season with new names on the roster

Tatum now has the chance to establish chemistry with a revamped core headlined by veteran wing Paul George and rim-protecting center Mitchell Robinson. Partnering with George provides Boston with a lethal tandem of multi-positional scoring threats. With George shouldering secondary playmaking responsibilities, Tatum can roam more effectively as an off-ball threat, generating seamless drive-and-kick options.

In the frontcourt, Tatum’s two-man game with Robinson gives Boston an impactful vertical element inside. Robinson’s elite roll gravity and offensive rebounding prowess force defenses to collapse into the paint, opening up wide lanes for Tatum to attack the basket or pull up in rhythm.

Key takeaways

• Jayson Tatum expressed shock over Jaylen Brown’s trade to the Philadelphia 76ers.
• NBA fans speculated that Jayson Tatum secretly wanted Jaylen Brown traded away.
• Paul George and Mitchell Robinson joined Jayson Tatum on the Celtics’ revamped roster.

Brown joins a team that is clearly a contender in the Eastern Conference. Not only do the 76ers have Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, but they also managed to secure the arrival of none other than LeBron James.

Still, the trade was not without its benefits for Boston. Brad Stevens managed to acquire Paul George, along with two first-round draft picks and two second-round picks.

Brown’s legacy in Boston

Jaylen Brown’s decade in Boston is nothing short of legendary, cementing him as a cornerstone of modern Celtics history. Drafted as the 3rd overall pick in 2016, JB went from a raw, high-upside rookie to an absolute juggernaut on both ends of the floor.

Over his tenured run in Beantown, he built a resume packed with hardware: an NBA Champion and Finals MVP in 2024, Eastern Conference Finals MVP (2024), a 5x NBA All-Star, a 2x All-NBA Team selection, and an All-Rookie Second Team nod. Alongside Jayson Tatum, he led Boston to six Eastern Conference Finals and two Finals appearances, consistently proving he was built for the biggest moments before bringing Banner 18 home.

Paul George aims to make history in Boston

Now wearing the iconic green and white in Boston, Paul George is officially on the hunt for the one thing missing from his star-studded resume: an NBA championship ring, as PG-13 has never won a title in his career. Joining forces with Jayson Tatum, George steps into a prime situation with a franchise that knows what it takes to get to the top—the Celtics last won the championship in 2024 (bringing home Banner 18).

With Tatum’s leadership and PG’s elite two-way play, the duo will be aiming to add another banner to TD Garden’s rafters and finally get George that elusive ring.

Key takeaways

• Jaylen Brown left the Boston Celtics to join the Philadelphia 76ers.
• Brad Stevens acquired Paul George, two first-round and two second-round picks.
• Paul George seeks his first NBA championship ring with the Boston Celtics.

With NBC and Peacock carrying the season-opening matchup, the ceremony will feature several special moments. One of them will be the national anthem, performed by rising artist Morgan Taylor.

The singer, a St. Louis native and 2025 Berklee College of Music graduate, has built her profile through soulful vocals and live performances, with a style rooted in gospel and contemporary R&B.

Who is Morgan Taylor, the R&B artist singing the national anthem?

Morgan Taylor is a rising R&B singer and songwriter from St. Louis, Missouri. Known professionally onstage as BIG MO, she combines contemporary R&B with the gospel influences that shaped her voice from an early age.

She graduated from Berklee College of Music in 2025 and has built her reputation through live performances and original music. She began singing at nine years old, performing in church congregations in her hometown before developing her own identity as an R&B artist.

Growing up listening to artists such as Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey also influenced her musical direction. Her background in gospel continues to inform her vocal style, which blends emotional delivery with contemporary production.

Her music career includes the EP Love Bombed (Love, Loss and Lessons), released in January 2025, along with singles such as “Outside (That’s PeriodT)” and “Cut Off”. She has also collaborated with producers and songwriters, including Grammy-winning producer Jeremiah Adkins, as she continues to establish herself in the R&B scene.

What time is the Celtics vs. Pistons game on NBA Opening Night?

The Celtics vs. Pistons game tips off at 3 PM ET on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. The matchup opens the 2026-27 NBA regular season and will air nationally on NBC, with streaming available on Peacock.

The afternoon matchup is the first game of a three-game NBA Tip-Off broadcast, a first for the league’s season-opening day. The 76ers will then visit the defending champion Knicks at 7 PM ET, followed by the Thunder against the Spurs at 9:30 PM ET.

“I feel like I went through a bunch of phases of my emotions,” Brown said while talking to Lil Baby. “Like, first I was pissed off. I threw my phone across the room, like I was pissed, I was hot, you know what I mean? Then I kind of was detached from the situation, and then I kind of like, you know, I got excited after that.

“Then I got — then I came back to Boston. That’s when I started getting back to Boston when I was traveling. Then I got sad again. I was like, then I got sad, and now I’m just ready. So I just feel like I went through so many different phases over the last couple months.”

Brown’s preseason stats vs Celtics

In his first game against Boston since being acquired by the Philadelphia 76ers, Jaylen Brown put up a solid, highly active performance despite the Sixers falling 125–120 in preseason action. Logging 31 minutes on the court, Brown finished with 20 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks, showing off his signature aggressiveness and all-around impact in a storyline-filled matchup.

The start of a new era hope in Philadelphia

The hype surrounding the new-look Philadelphia 76ers is reaching a fever pitch with Jaylen Brown and LeBron James teaming up, giving Philly one of the most star-studded tandems in the league and fueling genuine championship expectations.

Fans won’t have to wait long to see this duo in meaningful action as the 76ers kick off their 2026–27 regular season with a high-stakes opening stretch: they visit rival New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, October 20, return home to the Xfinity Mobile Arena to host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday, October 22, and wrap up the first three games back at home against the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday, October 24.

Key takeaways

• Jaylen Brown reflected on his emotional phases after being traded to the Philadelphia 76ers.
• Jaylen Brown recorded 20 points and 8 rebounds in his preseason game against the Boston Celtics.
• The Philadelphia 76ers begin their regular season facing the New York Knicks on October 20, 2026.

Both James and Embiid are expected to suit up tonight against Boston. After sharing the floor during a brief stretch against Brooklyn, Sixers head coach Nick Nurse is expected to give the duo more extended run against the Celtics.

With any off-season trade rumors surrounding James and Embiid firmly put to rest, the Sixers are focused on building chemistry between their two centerpiece stars as they eye a deep postseason run in the upcoming campaign.

Meanwhile, the Celtics are taking a cautious approach with Jayson Tatum and Paul George for tonight’s contest. Both stars sat out Boston’s preseason opener as they continue to recover from off-season injuries.

Projected lineup for the Sixers

While Embiid and James remain the engine of the offense, guard Tyrese Maxey provides crucial scoring and playmaking support as Philadelphia looks to capture a victory tonight.

Here is Philadelphia’s projected starting five:

• Point Guard: Tyrese Maxey
• Shooting Guard: V.J. Edgecombe
• Small Forward: Paul George
• Power Forward: LeBron James
• Center: Joel Embiid

With their key pieces expected on the floor tonight against the Celtics, the Sixers are using these final tune-ups to gear up for a high-profile regular-season opener against the reigning NBA champion New York Knicks.

Key takeaways

• LeBron James and Joel Embiid are expected to receive extended playing time against Boston.
• The Celtics are taking a cautious approach with Jayson Tatum and Paul George.
• Philadelphia’s projected starting unit includes Tyrese Maxey, V.J. Edgecombe, Paul George, LeBron James, and Joel Embiid.

However, both George and Tatum are expected to play tonight’s contest as they recovered from offseason ailments. Meanwhile, the defending champion Celtics are aiming to re-establish their dominant form following a summer of minor roster adjustments.

With George revealing a key injury update a couple of weeks ago, Boston remains focused on executing the fast-paced, floor-spacing style that propelled them to the 2024 NBA title.

On the other hand, the Sixers are eager to see how its updated core gels. Dynamic guard Tyrese Maxey is expected to log minutes alongside Embiid, with rookie lottery pick VJ Edgecombe also projected to feature prominently in tonight’s rotation.

Projected lineups today for Celtics

With Tatum resting, the Celtics will turn to their reliable backcourt and depth to set the tone, leaning heavily on key playmakers like Derrick White and Payton Pritchard to lead the starting unit.

Here is Boston’s projected starting five for tonight’s game against the Sixers:

• Point Guard: Derrick White
• Shooting Guard: Payton Pritchard
• Small Forward: Paul George
• Power Forward: Jayson Tatum
• Center: Xavier Tillman / Neemias Queta

Tonight’s matchup offers an early barometer for both Eastern Conference contenders as they gear up for what promises to be a high-stakes 2024–25 regular season.

Key takeaways

• Paul George and Jayson Tatum are expected to play tonight’s preseason match.
• Boston’s projected starting five includes Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, Baylor Scheierman, Sam Hauser, and Neemias Queta.
• Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe are projected to feature in Philadelphia’s rotation tonight.

Now, George has given an update on his health as the new season quickly approaches. “I feel great again. I feel like I’ve turned a corner of dealing with injuries, and now kind of reestablishing myself and from a physical standpoint again,” said George, per John Kalaris of Locked on Celtics on X.

George has dealt with several injury setbacks over the last few years, dating back to his time with the Los Angeles Clippers. While he clearly has lost a step athletically even when fully healthy, Boston will still hope that he is able to stay on the floor as often as possible this year as he enters his late 30s.

What is expected of George

Although George has not shown his maximum potential in recent years due to injuries, a healthy version of the veteran forward can become one of the best players in the league, potentially offering even more than Brown provided for the Celtics.

George by and large outplayed Brown during the matchup between the Celtics and 76ers in the playoffs this past spring, knocking down a barrage of tough jumpers as Philadelphia battled back from a 3-1 deficit, and also providing some of his usual stout perimeter defense.

He remains an excellent perimeter defender, a high-level secondary playmaker, and one of the most efficient catch-and-shoot threats in the NBA. His ability to space the floor should fit seamlessly alongside Tatum, creating driving lanes and offensive flexibility that few teams can match.

The Celtics envision a version of George who plays more than 60 games, shoots over 40 percent from three-point range, and provides another experienced postseason option alongside Tatum.

With two years left on his four-year, $30 million contract, Pritchard is in line for a hefty contract extension, according to the Boston Globe’s Gary Washburn. “If you look at the salaries, Payton is next in line, and I think he’s one of the league’s bigger bargains,” Washburn said.

“He’s making $7.7 [million] this year, $8.3 [million] in 27-28. He’s due an extension that’s going to be about $22 million a year. And I think it could be what he decides to produce this year, but I also think he has shown enough where you do give him that $22 million per year. That’s still, in today’s NBA, a very tradable contract.”

The Celtics will not regret the move

Pritchard is a player who won the Sixth Man of the Year award and earned a starting role in Tatum’s absence, serving as the second option alongside Jaylen Brown as they led the franchise to the playoffs when many had written them off from even reaching the postseason.

“That’s not a contract that I don’t think the Celtics at all will regret. That rewards Payton for his hard work. For overpaying his contract, we all know he’s one of the league’s biggest bargains. That’s the Celtics kind of giving him a nice payday on the backside after this contract is up. And I think he deserves it,” Washburn added.

After winning the Sixth Man of the Year award in 2025, Pritchard averaged career-bests in points (17.0), assists (5.7), and rebounds (3.9) per game in 2026-27—numbers that highlight the kind of player he has become.

Financial flexibility under strict salary cap rules

While a $22 million average annual value represents a steep increase from Pritchard’s current four-year, $30 million contract, it offers strong value under current NBA salary cap structures. Occupying under 10% of the team’s projected cap when activated for the 2028–29 season, the contract provides Boston with significant roster flexibility.

Front-office decision-makers see the deal as a high-value agreement that retains top-tier perimeter production without suffocating flexibility under the modern collective bargaining agreement.

The idea immediately went viral across social media, with many fans imagining Curry teaming up with Jayson Tatum in what would have been one of the most shocking moves in league history.

However, the person who sparked the discussion has now clarified what actually happened, and the reality is very different from the narrative that spread online. The Golden State Warriors never made a decision.

Will the Celtics trade for Stephen Curry?

No, the Celtics are not expected to make a blockbuster trade for Stephen Curry. After the speculation exploded, John Karalis of Sports Illustrated explained that he never reported Boston had actually contacted the Warriors about the star. That clarification significantly changes the context surrounding the story.

“I did not report that the Celtics made an offer to the Warriors. I wrote a column that said if the Warriors were open to a Steph trade that Brad would call. I thought it was pretty clear that the whole piece was my opinion.”

Karalis’ comments make it clear that Brad Stevens is not actively pursuing a trade for Stephen Curry. Instead, the scenario was based entirely on the hypothetical possibility that Golden State would decide to place Curry on the trade market.

At the moment, there is no indication that will happen. In fact, multiple reports suggest the Warriors remain committed to Curry and have even discussed the possibility of another contract extension for the franchise icon.

As a result, what initially appeared to be a potential blockbuster has turned into little more than a social media frenzy fueled by a hypothetical opinion rather than an actual trade discussion.

The idea of Curry joining forces with Jayson Tatum immediately captured attention across the league, especially after another quiet offseason for the Warriors, who failed to land stars such as LeBron James.

However, a new report has poured cold water on the speculation, making it clear that the Golden State Warriors have no intention of moving their franchise icon ahead of next season.

Will Warriors trade Steph Curry to Boston Celtics?

No. According to a report from Jake Weinbach, the Golden State Warriors are not considering trading Stephen Curry and remain committed to building around their longtime superstar.

“Steph Curry is not a trade candidate, at least for the time being. The Warriors fully plan to keep their core intact heading into the 2026-27 season. Golden State’s direction could eventually shift, but the trade speculation surrounding Curry can be put to bed this offseason.”

As exciting as the scenario sounded for Celtics fans, there appears to be virtually no chance of Curry wearing green this season. Instead, the Warriors are expected to move forward with essentially the same core that fell short last season, led by Curry, Draymond Green, as they wait for Jimmy Butler who is working his way back from injury.

After missing out on major offseason targets, the Warriors are betting that continuity will be enough to keep them in the championship conversation during the 2026-27 campaign.