The Boston Celtics’ 124-109 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night quickly descended into chaos in the fourth quarter as one play stole the show. As Jayson Tatum was dribbling the ball past half-court on a fast break, former Celtic Grant Williams met him, absolutely decking him to the ground in the process.
It was a dangerous play, but Tatum got right up and walked away rather than interacting with his former teammate. Jaylen Brown, on the other hand, wasn’t so kind. He was immediately furious and had to be held back by Boston assistant coach Tony Dobbins. Williams got a Flagrant 2 and was ejected after the play.
Brown made sure to let him hear it after the game.
Jaylen Brown is not happy with Grant Williams
While speaking with reporters post-game, Brown delivered an angry rant directed at Williams, calling him out for the garbage play.
“That wasn't a basketball play,” Brown said via Bobby Manning of CLNS Media. “Grant knows better than that."
But Brown’s criticism didn’t stop there. He went on to question Williams and Tatum’s friendship, as the two players were seemingly very close during their time together on the Celtics (and beyond that).
"Actions speak loud,” Brown said. “It is what it is. We got the win. We move on. But there's no place in the game for that. I thought JT and Grant were friends. I guess not."
The Celtics star even likened the play to one that Baltimore Ravens legend Ray Lewis would make.
"He hit him like it was a football play, Ray Lewis coming across the middle or something,” Brown said via Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe.
As for Williams’ take on the incident, he said that his actions were “unintentional,” noting that he and Tatum are still very close friends.
One watch of the play reveals that Williams made no effort to go for the ball, which he claimed he did post-game.
At the end of the day, it was nothing more than a dangerous, unnecessary play at a point in the night when the game was all but decided. Williams was rightfully ejected, and Brown is rightfully upset at his decision to bowl over Tatum.
Miles Bridges also ended up getting ejected, LaMelo Ball picked up a Flagrant 1, and both head coaches earned technical fouls earlier in the game.
It was a crazy night with a ton of physicality. And considering the two sides will play again on Saturday night, Williams’ actions certainly won’t be forgotten.