Jayson Tatum declined to say whether he wants to speak with Jaylen Brown when the Boston Celtics face the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday, keeping his attention on the game.
Asked whether he anticipated a conversation with Brown, Tatum said: “I mean, I’m not really like able to tell the future. I just know that it’s the Celtics versus Sixers. Go out there and do my job. Try to get another win on Tuesday.”
Brown had said there was “nothing to talk about” between the former Celtics teammates. He also said he and Tatum were on their respective sides and focused on basketball.
Tatum took a similar approach when asked whether those conversations should wait until after the season, when the competitive aspect is gone.
“I have no idea. Just focus on game on Tuesday. You’ll get through that game on Wednesday. It’s a long season, right? We got 72 games left. So, that’s just the focus right now,” he said.
The Celtics visit Philadelphia after improving to 8-2 with Sunday’s 117-97 win over the Milwaukee Bucks. Tatum scored 21 points in 29 minutes and sat out the entire fourth quarter as Boston protected its lead.
Asked whether Tuesday’s matchup against Brown and the 76ers felt different, Tatum described it as another regular-season game.
“It’s another game on the schedule and it’s the Celtics versus Sixers,” he said. “And, you know, I always say in the words of Brad Stevens, they all count as one, right? So, this one counted as one. We go get ready for Tuesday.”
Tatum acknowledged Philadelphia’s strong start, adding: “It’s a really good team. Obviously, incredible group, great coaching staff. They’ve been playing really well. So, from that standpoint, you know, it’s going to be fun. But it’s nothing more than Celtic versus the Sixers.”
The public tension between the two former teammates grew in October. Brown posted a “cap” emoji after Tatum said he was caught off guard by the July trade that sent Brown from Boston to Philadelphia.
Tatum later rejected comparisons to a famous NBA feud, saying, “This ain’t no f—ing Shaq and Kobe.” Brown responded with his “lamb chops and gravy” remark.
Boston’s win in Milwaukee marked its second victory over the Bucks in five nights. The Celtics had also beaten them 109-102 on Wednesday, with Tatum resting.
The Celtics continue their four-game road trip in Philadelphia on Tuesday before visiting Toronto. The 76ers will host Brown’s former team as the two sides meet for the first time in the regular season since the trade.
