Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown Will Play For First Time Since Latter Was Traded

For the last decade, two players have defined the Boston Celtics: forward Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.

Both players were drafted by the Celtics. Brown was taken third overall in the 2016 NBA Draft out of California and Tatum was selected third overall in the 2017 draft out of Duke.

What followed was a decade-long return to prominence for Boston that resulted in the pair becoming one of the most iconic and consistent duos in the game.

Tatum eventually emerged as the franchise's superstar whereas Brown was viewed as the team's "Robin" to the former's "Batman." That doesn't mean that accomplishments didn't come aplenty for both.

Brown was a five-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA second-team player. Tatum has been selected to the All-Star Game six times and has made All-NBA five times (four first-team, one third-team).

The duo reached the pinnacle of basketball when they won the NBA Finals in 2024. It was Boston's first championship since the Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo-led roster in 2008. Brown was named the Eastern Conference and NBA Finals MVP that year.

The two became synonymous with each other's respective careers, but it didn't prevent the end of their partnership.

Tatum tore his Achilies in the playoffs in 2025 and this past season fell on Brown to lead the team. Brown helped guide the Celtics to the third seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs and earned MVP votes, but the team was ultimately eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Philadelphia 76ers.

Amidst rumors of a strained relationship between the two longtime teammates and persistent trade rumors involving Brown, Boston ultimately dealt him to the team that knocked it out of the postseason, Philadelphia.

Brown joined a modern superteam led by former NBA MVP Joel Embiid and arguably the greatest player in the history of the game, LeBron James.

Entering Tuesday, the 76ers occupy the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference with a 9-2 record whereas the Celtics have the No. 2 seed at 8-2.

With the top seed in the conference at stake, the Brown and Tatum will be on the court together for the first time as opponents. Philadelphia and Boston will play each other at 8 p.m. ET at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.

The Celtics will enter the game on a three-game win streak and the 76ers will be looking to make it two-straight wins after a 127-121 win against the Chicago Bulls on Sunday.