In a highly charged NBA matchup on Friday night, the Boston Celtics triumphed over the Charlotte Hornets with a 124-109 win, but it was a hard foul by former Celtics forward Grant Williams on star player Jayson Tatum that stole the spotlight. The incident raised eyebrows across the league and added tension between the two teams, especially with a rematch on the horizon.
A Game with History and Heated Emotions
Grant Williams, who played alongside Tatum for four seasons in Boston, expressed positive sentiments about his former team before the game. He called seeing his former teammates’ success “special” and denied any bad blood from his departure. But with just over two minutes left on the clock, Williams’ actions seemed to tell a different story.
As Tatum brought the ball upcourt after grabbing a rebound, Williams sprinted toward him and delivered a shoulder check that sent Tatum to the ground. Officials quickly reviewed the play, and after deeming it a “non-basketball play” with “potential for injury,” they issued Williams a Flagrant 2 foul, resulting in his ejection from the game. Some speculate the foul may lead to further suspension.
The referee, James Williams, clarified the decision, stating, “Grant Williams accelerates, makes a significant impact to the dribbler.” The harsh foul was enough to prompt strong reactions from Tatum’s teammates, particularly Jaylen Brown, who confronted Williams on the court and voiced his disapproval after the game.
Jaylen Brown Defends Tatum
Jaylen Brown didn’t hold back when asked if he thought the foul was intentional. “What are we talking about? Did you all see the same play as me?” Brown said, comparing the collision to a hit by former NFL linebacker Ray Lewis. “I thought JT and Grant were friends… I guess not,” he added, expressing both surprise and frustration.
Brown continued, “Teams like to send messages and try to set the tone, to get us out of character… but we’re not going for any of that.” His words echoed a sense of unity among the Celtics, emphasizing that Boston won’t be intimidated by physical play or attempts to disrupt their game.
Williams Defends His Intentions
For his part, Grant Williams insisted the foul was unintentional. “I’m not trying to hurt anybody,” he told NBC Sports Boston. “Jayson is one of my closest friends in the league. JB [Brown] kind of escalated it, but I understand he’s trying to protect his teammate. But that [Tatum] is my dog. No matter what, I take care of him… there’s no malice or issue with that.”
Some speculated that Williams’ foul was an act of frustration, as Tatum had an exceptional performance with 32 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and a block. But regardless of Williams’ intent, the play soured the mood in the arena and brought up questions about his relationship with his former teammates.
A Rough End to a Physical Game
The game’s intensity didn’t let up after Williams’ ejection. LaMelo Ball, the Hornets’ star guard who scored 31 points, was charged with a flagrant foul after fouling Tatum on a 3-point attempt. Later, Hornets forward Miles Bridges was ejected in the closing seconds of the game, making for a rough and tension-filled ending.
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla expressed relief that Tatum wasn’t injured, commending his resilience. “I’m glad [Tatum] is fine. What I liked most was that he jumped up and didn’t lay around. It didn’t faze him.”
Looking Ahead: A Chance for Redemption
With the Celtics and Hornets scheduled to face each other again on Saturday night, emotions are bound to run high. Fans are eager to see whether the rivalry intensifies further or if the players let cooler heads prevail. There’s also the question of whether Grant Williams will face additional suspension, which could sideline him for the rematch. Either way, Boston will aim to stay focused and avoid distractions as they look to keep their winning momentum going.
As Jaylen Brown put it, “We’re not going for any of that.” The Celtics are sending their own message: no amount of physical play will shake their resolve as they continue their push for a strong season.