At +9 (114-105) two minutes from the end, the Celtics were quietly heading towards victory in Charlotte when Jayson Tatum took the rebound. Except that the counterattack was cut off by his former teammate, Grant Williamswho hit him with his shoulder from the side. A mistake that Jaylen Brown cannot digest…
“What are we talking about?” Did we all see the same action? » replied the MVP of the last Finals when asked if the mistake was intentional. “He hit it like it was American football. It was Ray Lewis. »
Jaylen Brown doesn't understand that Grant Williams and Jayson Tatum have been close since their four years together in Boston: “I thought JT and Grant were friends…I guess that’s not the case. »
Revenge tonight
Jayson Tatum, who did not speak to the press after the match, in any case got up immediately, while Grant Williams was sent off after receiving a Flagrant II foul.
“I wasn’t trying to hurt anyone.” assures the Hornets strong winger. “Everyone knows he (Jayson) is one of my best friends in the league. JB (Jaylen Brown) made things worse, but I understand he wanted to protect his teammate. But Jayson, that's my guy… There was no malice or implication. »
In any case, the tension did not subside after the foul, since LaMelo Ball also took a Flagrant on a 3-pointer from Jayson Tatum, while Miles Bridges was also sent off in the last seconds…
“I’m glad Tatum is okay” concluded Joe Mazzulla, not really traumatized by the affair. “What I really liked was that he got up straight away and didn't stay on the ground. It didn't bother him. He just got up, went to the free throws and just did his thing. »
And the Celtics won… before meeting the Hornets this evening (11:00 p.m.), still in Charlotte.
