Tuesday night brings the first real look at a matchup that has been simmering for months: the Celtics in Philadelphia, with Jaylen Brown and the 76ers facing Boston for the first time. Both teams are near the top of the Eastern Conference, with the Sixers sitting at 9-2 and the Celtics at 8-2, and while they did meet twice in the preseason, neither game came with both sides at full strength. This is the one everyone has been waiting for.
The backdrop makes it even louder. Boston and Philadelphia already crossed paths in last season’s playoffs, when the 76ers erased a 3-1 deficit, knocked out the Celtics, ended their season, and closed the book on the Jaylen Brown era in Boston.
After that came the trade chatter, then the actual deal: Brown to Philadelphia, with Paul George and draft picks heading back to Boston. It was a jolt when it happened, and even now the move still has plenty of aftershocks around the league.
A lot of the noise since then has come from Brown himself. He has said the Celtics “packing [him] up”, accused Tatum of lying about being surprised when the trade happened, and said there may not be beef with JT, but there’s some “lamb chops and gravy”. He also said Tatum has a great PR team.
Tatum responded once, saying he reached out to JB after the trade, but also confirming the two have not spoken. Brown has since repeated that there has been no communication and said they won’t talk before Tuesday night’s game, adding that there’s nothing to talk about.
That’s what makes this matchup so combustible. It’s not just the trade itself.
It’s the playoff history, the rivalry between the teams, and the ongoing back-and-forth layered on top of it all. Put it together and you get one of the most anticipated regular-season games in recent NBA memory.
There are plenty of questions hanging over the night. Will Tatum and Brown shake hands?
Will they guard each other? Will the tension show up on the floor?
Will JB have a big night against his former team? What about PG?
The intrigue is everywhere, and the stage is set for a game that should deliver plenty of drama.
Still, as big as this one feels, it’s only one game. It’s early November. There are 70+ games left before the playoffs, and these teams will see each other again.
A Celtics win won’t prove they won the trade or turn Brown into a bum. A Sixers win won’t mean they fleeced Boston or that the Celtics are doomed.
If Brown and Tatum don’t speak, that doesn’t mean they hate each other. If they do hug, that doesn’t mean they’re suddenly best friends.
Whatever happens, the overreactions are coming. The think pieces will be loud, and they’ll probably be exhausting.
The smart move is to enjoy the game for what it is and not turn one night into a season-long verdict. This rivalry is only beginning.
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Neemias Queta Just Gave The Celtics A Real Embiid Answer
Neemias Queta has spent the season looking more and more like a useful piece for Boston, and his latest work against Philadelphia only strengthened that case. In the Celtics win over the 76ers, he chipped in 4 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists while giving the team a sturdier presence in the middle, the kind of minutes that can matter against a frontcourt centerpiece like Joel Embiid.
What stood out was not just the size, but the discipline. Queta showed the benefits of his offseason development by moving with better control on defense and making smarter decisions as a passer, helping Boston keep Embiid from getting comfortable and preserving the kind of edge that comes with beating a direct conference rival. The result also helped the Celtics stay in first place in the Eastern Conference, which is exactly the sort of payoff they need from a young big finding his footing. [Read more 🡒]
Celtics Are Forcing A Bigger Title Debate Than Fans Expected
Bostons early-season start has already pushed the Celtics into a bigger conversation than most people expected this soon. After the win over Philadelphia, they sit atop the Eastern Conference at 9-2, and the numbers back up what the eye test has suggested so far: this group has looked balanced, deep, and difficult to play against on both ends.
What makes the discussion more interesting is how complete the profile has been across the board. Basketball Reference has the Celtics near the top in offensive, defensive and net rating, a combination that usually belongs to teams with real championship traction rather than clubs still settling into November. It is early, of course, but Boston has done enough to make the title debate feel less like hype and more like a legitimate question. [Read more 🡒]
Celtics Suddenly Have A Paul George Concern Fans Can't Ignore
The Celtics head into their next stretch with a small but notable wrinkle on the injury report, as Paul George will sit out the upcoming game against Toronto because of an illness. It is a brief absence, but it comes at an awkward time for Boston, which has leaned on Georges steady production early this season and has seen him settle in as one of the teams most reliable options.
George had just been at the center of Bostons win over the 76ers, and his recent form has only reinforced how important he has become to the rotation. He has missed only one other game this season, so this will amount to a rare pause, with extra recovery time now built in before the Celtics see Dallas next. [Read more 🡒]