A New Chapter in Philadelphia
Jaylen Brown faced the Boston Celtics for the first time since his high-profile offseason trade to the Philadelphia 76ers during a preseason finale at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Friday. While the game was technically a 125-120 overtime loss for Philadelphia, it marked a significant milestone in Brown’s integration into his new team, The Philadelphia Inquirer reports. Brown, who spent a decade in Boston and secured a 2024 Finals MVP title, contributed 20 points, eight rebounds, and three assists in the contest.
The matchup served as a final tune-up for the 76ers before their high-stakes regular-season opener against the New York Knicks on October 20. Brown’s transition to Philadelphia places him alongside stars Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and LeBron James, creating a revamped roster that aims to challenge for the Eastern Conference title. According to Bleacher Report, the trade that sent Brown to Philadelphia in exchange for Paul George and draft assets followed his career-best 2025-26 campaign, where he averaged 28.7 points per game.
Reflecting on a Decade in Boston
Despite the competitive nature of the game, Brown acknowledged the emotional weight of playing against his former franchise. “I played there for 10 years, so it’ll never be ‘out of the way,’” Brown said after the game. He noted that the experience of seeing former teammates was positive, emphasizing that he remains focused on acclimating to his new role within the 76ers’ tactical schemes. Sixers coach Nick Nurse praised Brown’s commitment during the preseason, highlighting his ability to act as a “methodical driver” on the floor.
While Friday provided a glimpse of the new-look 76ers, the teams will face off in a more formal setting on November 10, when Philadelphia hosts the Celtics at Xfinity Mobile Arena. For Brown, the return to TD Garden as a visitor is not scheduled until January 21. As the regular season approaches, Brown emphasized that the team is still building chemistry. “We just are inching closer every single day,” Brown stated. “We’ve got to just continue to emphasize the type of mentality that we want to have—and the accountability that we want to have—and keep moving forward.”