Sometimes, the NBA’s most entertaining moments happen before anyone even touches a basketball.
Ahead of Tuesday night’s highly anticipated matchup between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers, someone at Xfinity Mobile Arena apparently decided that the occasion called for a particularly appropriate soundtrack.
As Boston went through its pregame shootaround, the arena speakers were playing “Why Can’t We Be Friends?” by War, a song choice that immediately raised eyebrows given the complicated relationship between former teammates Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
Celtics shootaround underway with “why can’t we be friends” playing. https://t.co/EJV3A8pQKL
— Bobby Manning (@RealBobManning) November 10, 2026
And the timing couldn’t have been better. Tuesday marks the first regular-season meeting between the two stars since Boston traded Brown to Philadelphia during the offseason, ending one of the most successful partnerships in recent NBA history.
Over nine seasons together, Tatum and Brown developed into one of the league’s most formidable duos, reaching five Eastern Conference Finals, two NBA Finals and ultimately winning the 2024 championship.
But their separation has hardly been without controversy. After Boston surprisingly sent Brown to its longtime Eastern Conference rival in a deal involving Paul George and draft picks, reports emerged suggesting that the former teammates had barely communicated.
Tatum subsequently revealed that he had attempted to contact Brown following the trade but received no response. Brown, meanwhile, has repeatedly dismissed suggestions of serious animosity, although his comments have occasionally suggested that their relationship isn’t particularly warm.
When asked about the possibility of speaking with Tatum before Tuesday’s game, Brown offered a rather straightforward response.
“He’s on his side, I’m on my side,” Brown said. “There’s nothing to talk about. Check the ball up.”
Earlier this season, the former Finals MVP also insisted there was no genuine hostility between them, joking that while there wasn’t necessarily any beef, there might be some lamb chops and gravy.
Tatum has similarly maintained that he holds no ill will toward his former teammate, emphasizing that their accomplishments together should receive more attention than speculation about their personal relationship.
Philadelphia enters the matchup with a 9-2 record, while Boston sits at 8-2, setting up an early confrontation between two of the Eastern Conference’s strongest teams. With Brown now playing alongside LeBron James, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, the Sixers have become legitimate contenders, while Tatum remains the centerpiece of Boston’s championship ambitions.
For the first time, the two former partners will be trying to beat each other instead of working toward the same goal. Whether the song was intentional or accidental, someone in Philadelphia found the perfect soundtrack for the NBA’s most anticipated reunion.
After nine years, countless victories and one championship together, perhaps all Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown really need is a little help from War.
Or, as Brown would probably prefer, they can simply check the ball up.
