Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
The Boston Celtics, led by All-Star and former NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown, have been one of the surprises of the NBA season relative to their expectations, as many expected them to struggle after losing Jayson Tatum to an Achilles injury in last season’s playoffs. Instead, they’ve maintained their level from last season if not slightly improved.
On both his Instagram and Twitter accounts, Jaylen Brown shared a side-by-side of the Boston Celtics’ stats at the All-Star break both this season and last season, leading NBA fans to think he was trying to send a message about how much the franchise needs, or doesn’t need, fellow star Jayson Tatum.
NBA fans think Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown took a subtle shot at his injured teammate Jayson Tatum on Instagram
Many NBA fans, however, think it’s the latest example of Brown trying to slight Tatum while hyping himself up, which has become something of a pattern this season as Brown has become the team’s undisputed central star.
“I’m proud of this group and staff/ office looking forward to 2nd half go Cs ☘️,” Brown wrote on Twitter alongside the below graphic.
Bro wanna say he’s better than JT so bad 😭
— tv (@Upperthinking93) February 13, 2026
Not only is this guy awful but he’s been quietly shooting strays at tatum for years and i’m supposed to believe that he isn’t getting the backdoor of doom this summer https://t.co/H93MRAVn6c
— red (@bluelemxnade) February 13, 2026
“How Celtics fans don’t see this as the diss to Tatum that it is is crazy. He is a terrible teammate,” one NB fan said.
“This is why I’ll never be a fan. He’s throwing shades at Tatum,” a second added.
“It gets to a point with the self promotion if I’m being honest,” another vented.
“Am I the only one who finds it weird how he openly wants to snatch Tatum’s chain in Boston and be the franchise player?” a fourth wondered.
Ngl this weird lol https://t.co/wjPpFO1WWK
— ㅤ (@C_S__) February 13, 2026
Tatum sit out big bro, let’s see what narrative man got for the playoffs https://t.co/6CRBcQuSe8
— Ⓜ️ (@haltatum0) February 13, 2026
Heading into the All Star break, the Boston Celtics are 2nd in the NBA’s Eastern Conference with a record of 35-19. The C’s currently have the third-shortest betting odds to win the NBA title at +1200, which trailers only the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder — massive favorites to repeat at +120 — and the Denver Nuggets at +650.