For nine years, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum were constantly being picked apart by fans, media members, analysts and former players.

As a star duo on one of the NBA’s most prominent franchises — who also both played on the wing — Tatum and Brown, according to those critics, could not coexist. But after six playoff exits, including an NBA Finals loss, two coaching changes and plenty of shake-ups around them, Boston’s co-stars put all of the nitpicks about their relationship to rest in 2023-24 by bringing an 18th championship to the Celtics.

Or so they thought. Even after winning the 2024 title, the constant questions over Brown and Tatum’s fit together persisted. And after a long-term absence for Tatum, which opened the door for Brown’s career year in 2025-26, the bubble finally burst when the latter was traded to the rival 76ers.

On Tuesday night, Brown and Tatum will play in an NBA game for the first time as opponents when two of the Eastern Conference’s best teams so far, Philadelphia and Boston, meet in prime time. And after a war of words between the former teammates since the trade, there could be some theatrics.

Here’s a look back at all of the jabs, back-and-forths and “beef” between Tatum and Brown since July’s blockbuster trade.

MORE: Jaylen Brown focused on winning, not Jayson Tatum drama ahead of 76ers-Celtics

Jaylen Brown-Jayson Tatum beef timeline

2025-26 season: Brown shines in Tatum’s absence, Celtics blow 3-1 lead

Over the years of the Brown-Tatum Celtics teams, Boston was constantly one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. The duo never failed to lead the Celtics to the playoffs, reaching two NBA Finals and winning one.

Any talks about Boston splitting up its star duo were simply speculative over that decade. Brown was always viewed as a potential trade chip if the Celtics were going to shake things up, for a long time, there was no reason to do so — both Tatum and Brown blossomed into All-Stars, champions and top NBA players as teammates.

The beginning of the end of an era for Boston was Tatum’s torn Achilles, suffered against the Knicks during the playoffs in May 2025. He would be sidelined for the next 10 months, which put Brown in the full driver’s seat for the Celtics for the first time in his career.

As it turned out, the Celtics remained a top East team even without Tatum. Brown averaged a career-high 28.7 points and led Boston to 56 wins, and in March, Tatum made his return from his Achilles tear just ahead of the playoffs.

But Tatum’s return seemed to throw off the Celtics’ rhythm a bit after feeding Brown all year. In a first-round matchup against the 76ers, Boston got out to a 3-1 series lead before Joel Embiid guided Philadelphia to a comeback, with Tatum sidelined in Game 7 due to left knee stiffness.

Entering the offseason, the Celtics had a difficult situation surrounding their co-stars.

July 1, 2026: Brown traded to 76ers after Giannis Antetokounmpo rumors

By mid-June, it became clear that Brown was available in trade talks. Giannis Antetokounmpo was available, and Brown was reportedly the centerpiece of the Celtics’ offers for the future Hall of Fame big man, including a potential three-team deal that could have seen Brown land elsewhere, such as Portland.

The Antetokounmpo bubble burst on June 23, when the Heat reportedly won the sweepstakes over the Celtics in a blockbuster. But for Boston, it left things with Brown in an awkward spot.

It became the worst-kept secret of the offseason that Brown was being shopped by the Celtics, but with an unclear destination. And all teams, their biggest rival — and the team that eliminated from the 2025-26 playoffs — stepped in.

On July 1, Shams Charania reported that a huge trade had been agreed upon between the Celtics and 76ers, with Brown being sent to Philadelphia, while Paul George and draft capital went to Boston. It brought a stunning end to Brown’s tenure in Boston.

July 2, 2026: Brown opens up about trade on live stream

Philadelphia was never considered much of a candidate to land Brown — so there was a lot of shock going around the NBA after the trade, which immediately meant Brown would be facing Boston for years to come.

The following night, Brown offered his first comments about the deal on his Twitch live stream.

“Boston, they packed me up,” Brown said. “Boston, they packed me up, my boy. God. Out of there.”

He also called out the Celtics for a “lack of respect.”

“Pack your bags, sayonara, buddy. Out of here,” Brown said. “I will say, I’m still processing everything, to be honest. It’s a bunch of excitement, disappointment. It’s a bunch of emotions. I’m still processing everything, so give me some time.”

“I will say, there was definitely a message being sent, and that message was received. I wasn’t thrilled with the amount of respect that was shown during this process. I think there was a bit of a lack of respect.”

July 6, 2026: Brad Stevens explains 76ers trade, says he didn’t inform Tatum

For the first time since the trade, Celtics executive Brad Stevens explained why he moved on from Brown on July 6. Stevens indicated the move was about salary cap management in future years and diversifying Boston’s attack after it grew stagnant.

During that press conference, Stevens said that Tatum and Brown were friends, but he didn’t inform Tatum of the trade ahead of time.

“I didn’t keep him in the loop. I didn’t talk to him the next day,” Stevens said. “I didn’t want to put that on him or anyone else in the playing group.”

Aug. 6, 2026: Brown says he hasn’t spoken to Tatum during 76ers press conference

The Brown trade allowed the 76ers to go out and make an even bigger move, signing LeBron James to a minimum deal just weeks later to complete a star-studded starting lineup.

On Aug. 6, Brown finally had his introductory press conference in Philadelphia, where he said he hadn’t spoken to Tatum since the trade.

“We won a championship together. Anybody that you win a championship with, you think that’s what a brotherhood or a lifelong legacy would entail,” Brown said. “Obviously, there’s ups and downs in any type of relationship, for sure. On my end, there’s nothing but respect. Besides when he plays the Sixers, I hope he does well.”

MORE: Why NBA’s anti-tanking rules aren’t having desired effect

Sept. 17, 2026: Tatum says he has ‘nothing but respect’ for Brown

Speaking on the “Dan Patrick Show,” Tatum was asked in September about what he thinks the biggest misconception is about his relationship with Brown.

“There’s just so many different narratives, so many different opinions, speculation. For me, I love that guy,” Tatum said. “It’s not a thing to be sad or upset about. … I’ve got nothing but respect and wish him the best as he moves forward.”

Oct. 10, 2026: Brown, Tatum don’t interact during 76ers vs. Celtics in preseason

The 76ers paid a visit to Boston during their preseason schedule, but Brown did not play in the game. 

Before tip-off, Brown and Tatum were both warming up on the court, but did not interact. Brown was seen turning his back to Tatum, not even acknowledging his former teammate’s presence.

Oct. 22, 2026: Tatum says he was surprised by Brown trade, which new 76er calls ‘cap’

During an episode of his “Summer of Tatum” series, Tatum revealed how he found out about the Brown trade, expressing that he was as surprised as everybody else.

“I was just as much caught off guard as the rest of the world,” Tatum said.

Brown, however, didn’t seem to believe that reaction. He commented on a social media clip of Tatum’s video with a blue hat emoji, used to call “cap,” or indicate that someone is lying.

Oct. 23, 2026: Tatum responds to Brown comment, says beef isn’t ‘Shaq and Kobe’

After Brown’s “cap” emoji went viral, Tatum was asked about it the next day, shutting down any rumors that the former teammates have “beef.”

“I don’t have any animosity or beef or ill will towards him,” Tatum said after the Celtics’ 2026-27 home opener, per ESPN. “The frustrating part is since he’s not on the Celtics anymore, the narrative or conversations haven’t been enough about what we accomplished, all the games we won, winning the championship, how we’ve grown together, right?”

Tatum also denied that his situation with Brown could be compared to past former teammate feuds, such as Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant.

“This ain’t no f—ing Shaq and Kobe,” Tatum said. “There’s no beef. It’s not about that. It should be more praise. I understand drama gets clicks and views, but I’m not really into that. I’m not blaming everybody for how they feel. Everybody is entitled to their own feelings, and we all go through different things in our lives.”

Tatum added that he called and texted Brown on the day he was traded, and that “if there’s a conversation to be had, we can definitely have the conversation.”

“I’ve seen all these things about ‘Get your popcorn ready when they play’ — like this ain’t no f—ing boxing match, it’s basketball,” Tatum said, per ESPN. “I hate the conversation, the narrative around it. There’s not enough communication, and a conversation will solve or put out a lot of fires.”

Oct. 24, 2026: Brown says there’s no beef, but maybe some ‘lamb chops’

Brown was asked to follow up the next day about Tatum’s denial of any “beef,” a word that the new 76ers star took quite literally by saying there “might be a little lamb chops” while also taking a dig at Tatum having “a great PR team.”

“I think he’s right. There’s no beef. Jayson comes from a wonderful family, we’ve accomplished some great things, he’s a hell of a basketball player. He got a great PR team. There’s no beef, but there might be a little lamb chops and some gravy,” Brown told reporters. “He should stay ready at all times.”

“The PR and all that type of stuff, it is what it is, but I think we’re both just focused on what’s in front of us.”

Oct. 28, 2026: Tatum says he’s done talking about Brown relationship

After all the back-and-forth about Brown, Tatum acknowledged that he’d had enough of those talks in late October.

“Listen, I’ve said my piece,” Tatum told reporters. “I’m not making any comments on that situation.”

Nov. 8, 2026: Brown downplays first game against Celtics

Ahead of a long-awaited first matchup against the Celtics, which will be played in Philadelphia, Brown downplayed the significance of the game, also saying he has “nothing to talk about” with Tatum after saying he still hasn’t talked to his former teammate.

“He’s on his side. I’m on my side. Playing basketball, both of us are trying to win,” Brown said. “There’s nothing to talk about. Check the ball up.”

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