Jaylen Brown made it clear that he has no plans to talk with Jayson Tatum as the Philadelphia 76ers prepare to host the Boston Celtics in Brown’s first regular-season game against his former team.

Brown was asked about Tatum after Sunday’s 127-121 win over the Chicago Bulls, and his blunt response about his ex-co-star earned a slew of reactions from fans on social media.

Jaylen Brown’s Answer Adds to 76ers Star’s Back-and-Forth With Jayson Tatum

The trade became official July 6 and sent Brown to Philadelphia for Paul George, two first-round picks, and two second-round picks, ending a 10-season run in Boston that included five All-Star appearances and the 2024 championship, which Brown won alongside Tatum while taking home Finals MVP honors.

Brown arrived with the 76ers coming off a career-best season in which he averaged 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game, with Boston playing largely without Tatum after he tore his Achilles in the 2025 playoffs.

Asked whether he would talk to Tatum when the Celtics visit Tuesday, Brown kept it brief:

“I mean, he’s on his side, I’m on my side, playing basketball. Both of us are trying to win, so it’s nothing to talk about. Just check the ball up.”

The 76ers star’s comments are the latest turn in a back-and-forth that has played out since the trade. Earlier this season, Tatum spoke about the deal in a mini-documentary he produced himself and later addressed their relationship in a Celtics postgame news conference.

Brown’s reply after that news conference came with a twist:

“He’s a hell of a basketball player. He’s got a great PR team. There’s no beef, but it might be a little lamb chops and some gravy. You know what I mean? He should stay ready at all times.”

One fan saw Sunday’s answer as a preview of Brown’s mindset for Tuesday: “Jaylen Brown is coming for blood.”

Another was left in awe of the moment: “This is insane aura I’m shaking.”

A third offered a tongue-in-cheek take: “Jaylen Brown breaking Wilt [Chamberlain’s] record.”

Another hoops fan welcomed the drama outright: “The NBA needs some drama, it’s part of the game. Y’all constantly complain about the league being soft nowadays. This is real rivalry brewing.”

However, not everyone bought Brown’s approach, as former NBCS Content Director John Zannis was blunt in his take, writing, “What a baby.”

The two franchises know each other well. Philadelphia ousted Boston in the first round of the 2026 playoffs, the 23rd postseason series between the teams and the most of any NBA pairing.

As far as individual production this season is concerned, both stars are enjoying a red-hot run.

Brown has scored 30, 20, and 29 points in the 76ers’ last three games, all on the road. His 29 in Chicago came on 11-for-22 shooting with 7 rebounds and 4 assists.

Tatum, meanwhile, scored 34 points on 9-for-16 shooting in Friday’s 119-80 rout of the Charlotte Hornets. He followed with 21 points and 6 assists in Sunday night’s 117-97 win over the Milwaukee Bucks to help lift Boston to 8-2.

Paul George, the headliner of Boston’s return for Brown, led the Celtics with 27 points that night.

The former co-stars have done their talking through cameras and microphones, and Tuesday puts them on the same floor, with Philadelphia a half-game ahead of Boston for the top spot in the East.