The Boston Celtics secured a 124-109 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night, with Jaylen Brown scoring 25 points and Jayson Tatum adding a game-high 32. However, the highlight came late in the game when a physical altercation sparked controversy. Former Celtics player Grant Williams, now with the Hornets, committed a hard foul against Tatum, knocking him to the ground near half-court.
This foul led to tensions as Brown confronted Williams and the Hornets bench. Tatum, visibly upset, maintained composure, heading to the foul line while officials reviewed the play. Williams was ultimately ejected with a flagrant 2 foul, which could lead to further discipline from the league.
After the game, Brown openly criticized Williams, likening the foul to a “football play” and questioning its intention. He expressed disappointment in Williams’ actions, especially since Williams was once a close teammate of both Brown and Tatum, playing with them in Boston from 2019 to 2023. Brown remarked that he expected better conduct from Williams, suggesting there’s no room in the NBA for such dangerous plays. This incident appeared to strain Brown’s perception of his former teammate, as he mentioned being surprised by the foul given the history, he thought they shared.
Williams, meanwhile, admitted that it was a hard foul but denied any malice or intent to harm. He emphasized his strong bond with Tatum, calling him “one of my closest friends in the league” and explained that his actions were not meant to injure. While acknowledging Brown’s protective response, Williams reiterated his loyalty to Tatum and downplayed any potential animosity. This statement served as a defense against accusations of deliberate aggression, asserting that he had no intention to escalate tension with his former team.
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla took a neutral stance, commending Tatum’s resilience after the foul and noting that the player quickly returned to the game unfazed. Mazzulla refrained from placing blame on Williams, focusing instead on Tatum’s recovery and determination to keep playing. Mazzulla’s comments emphasized his relief that Tatum was unharmed and his satisfaction with Tatum’s professional response to the incident, choosing not to further comment on Williams’ behavior.
The game continued to be intense after the altercation, with LaMelo Ball later committing a flagrant foul on Tatum during a 3-point attempt. This incident was followed by the ejection of Hornets forward Miles Bridges, contributing to the heated atmosphere.
Brown reflected on the game’s physicality, stating that teams sometimes attempt to disrupt the Celtics’ focus through aggression. However, he assured that the Celtics would not be intimidated or “go for” such tactics. The Celtics and Hornets are set to face each other again Saturday night, likely heightening the rivalry after Friday’s charged game.
