Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum chose to stay mostly silent on a hard foul from former teammate Grant Williams during Friday night’s game against the Charlotte Hornets. When asked about the incident on Saturday, Tatum avoided delving into details, instead focusing on the team’s performance. “I mean, I don’t really want to talk about it,” he commented. “We came to Charlotte, did what we were supposed to do, and now we’re heading to Atlanta to try to secure another win.”
While Tatum refrained from addressing the foul directly, he spoke about the strategy teams use to limit his impact. Tatum acknowledged the physical nature of opposing defenses and how players like Williams are often tasked with shadowing him closely to prevent scoring opportunities. “You understand that’s their game plan,” Tatum noted. “They put Grant on me to deny, face-guard me. It makes you stronger, makes you better. You find different ways to affect the game.” Despite the physical play, Tatum assured that he remains unphased, sharing that his strength training helps him withstand aggressive tactics.
Jaylen Brown, Tatum’s teammate, expressed a different perspective, openly critical of the hit. “It looked more like a football play,” Brown said, comparing the foul to a linebacker’s move on the field. Brown was surprised by Williams’ actions, especially considering Tatum and Williams’ past friendship. “I thought JT and Grant were friends… I guess not,” Brown added, highlighting the unusual intensity of the foul.
On his part, Grant Williams clarified that he had no ill intent toward Tatum. He told NBC Sports Boston that while he understands Brown’s protective reaction, he holds no animosity toward Tatum, whom he described as one of his closest friends in the league. “Not trying to hurt anybody,” Williams explained. “That’s my guy. I got his back, no matter what.” He attributed Brown’s reaction to the natural urge to defend a teammate.
Despite the intense exchanges, the Celtics stayed focused on their goal in Charlotte, securing back-to-back victories over the Hornets. Winning Friday’s game 124-109, they followed it up the next day with a 113-103 victory, advancing to a strong 6-1 record early in the season. Currently, Boston ranks second in the Eastern Conference, right behind the undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers.
