Celtics’ Jaylen Brown Rips Grant Williams for ‘Ray Lewis’-Like Hit on Jayson Tatum

Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IINovember 2, 2024

Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images

Charlotte Hornets forward Grant Williams was ejected Friday after body-checking Boston Celtics forward (and ex-teammate) Jayson Tatum to the floor in the fourth quarter of the C’s’ 124-109 road win.

Bleacher Report @BleacherReportGrant Williams was ejected after this flagrant 2 foul on Jayson Tatum 😳 pic.twitter.com/YbhC1psP7r

Celtics star Jaylen Brown didn’t take kindly to that, immediately getting in Williams’ face.

After the game, Brown invoked Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis in a postgame interview when asked if he thought Williams intentionally fouled Tatum.

“Like, what are we talking about? Y’all see the same play that I was seeing?” Brown said, per ESPN News Services. “He hit him like it was a football play. Like, Ray Lewis coming across the middle or something. It is what it is. Grant know better than that.”

Brown also added: “Actions speak loud. 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 was friends. … I guess not.”

Bleacher Report @BleacherReport”I thought JT and Grant was friends. I guess not.”

Jaylen Brown on Grant Williams’ flagrant 2 foul on Jayson Tatum 😬 pic.twitter.com/45lZoSfxxq

Williams spoke with Kayla Burton of NBC Sports Boston postgame and said he wasn’t trying to hurt Tatum. He admitted it was a “hard foul” but said it wasn’t intentional and that Tatum is one of his “closest friends” in the league.

Kayla Burton @Kay_Breezy22I talked to #GrantWilliams after the game.

Here’s what he had to say about the flagrant foul on Jayson Tatum… @NBCSCeltics #Celtics #Hornets pic.twitter.com/umfI2OSLGQ

Regarding Brown, Williams said: “JB kind of escalated it, but I understand he’s trying to protect his teammate. But that’s (Tatum) my dog. No matter what I got his back. … No malice or any issue with that.”

Tatum did not speak with reporters postgame, per ESPN.

As Brown noted, though, the Celtics did get the win and will move on. Tatum scored 32, Brown added 25 and the defending NBA champions moved to 5-1. Up next is a road date with the Atlanta Hawks on Monday evening.