Former Boston Celtics forward Grant Williams pushed back against the idea that Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown had a poor personal relationship, saying the two stars respected each other despite outside speculation about their partnership.
“You can bring the best out of someone else beside you,” Williams said of Tatum and Brown. “And I think that’s what it was for those two, that they had respect for one another, they enjoyed being around one another when they’re on the court, as well as they didn’t have any disdain for one another off the floor. So that’s something I can just vividly say is that I don’t think those guys disliked each other at all.”
The comments come after reports suggested tension developed between Boston’s two All-Stars before the Celtics eventually moved Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers. ESPN’s Shams Charania previously reported that the personal relationship between Tatum and Brown had declined significantly, while also noting that the pair remained professional on the court.
Williams, who played alongside Tatum and Brown from 2019-23, offered a different perspective based on his time inside the Celtics’ locker room. He emphasized that their ability to complement each other helped Boston remain one of the NBA’s most successful teams during their partnership.
Tatum and Brown led the Celtics to multiple deep playoff runs, including the franchise’s 18th championship in 2024. Their pairing combined Tatum’s scoring versatility and playmaking with Brown’s physical perimeter defense and attacking ability.
Brown produced one of the strongest seasons of his career in 2025-26, averaging 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists over 71 games. He earned All-Star recognition, was named to the All-NBA Second Team and finished sixth in MVP voting.
Tatum’s season was limited to 16 games after recovering from a torn Achilles injury, but he still averaged 21.8 points, 10.0 rebounds and 5.3 assists while shooting 82.3% from the free-throw line. Before the injury, Tatum had been Boston’s primary offensive engine and franchise centerpiece.
The Celtics finished the 2025-26 regular season with a 56-26 record, the second-best mark in the Eastern Conference behind the Detroit Pistons. Boston reached the playoffs but was eliminated by the 76ers in seven games in the first round.
Brown and Tatum’s contrasting personalities were often part of the conversation surrounding their relationship. Tatum has been viewed as a more traditional franchise star, while Brown has been known for his broader interests away from basketball and his willingness to discuss social issues.
