Jaylen Brown Slanders Giannis Antetokounmpo After Celtics Win

Getty Jaylen Brown guarding Giannis Antetokounmpo during an October 28 game against the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Boston Celtics improved to 9-2 on the season after completing the comeback victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on November 9. Things got chippy during the game, with Giannis Antetokounmpo faking a handshake to Jaylen Brown after getting the offensive foul call.

When asked about the interaction postgame, Brown was blunt.

“Giannis is a child,” Brown told reporters. “I’m just focused on helping my team get a win. And that’s what we did tonight.”

He’s not the only Celtic who was frustrated by Antetokounmpo. Jayson Tatum, too, shared some frustrations with the Greek Freak, whose close out on a three forced the Boston star to roll his ankle. No foul call was made by officials.

“It’s a tough situation,” Tatum said of the play. “I get my fair share of techs throughout the season, rightfully so and rightfully so. But there’s certain calls I just feel like you can’t miss. Your job is to protect the guys on the court, protect the shooter. That’s something I could have been out with, for six weeks or whatever…That (expletive) is frustrating.”

Brown and Tatum combined for 45 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists in the 113-107 win for Boston. Giannis-related issues aside, it was a pretty good day for the Celtics, who are second in the Eastern Conference.

Tatum Takes Headlines for Olympic Comments

The outbursts from Boston’s wing duo after the win over Milwaukee weren’t the first of the week. After a 118-112 loss to the Golden State Warriors, Tatum was asked yet again about being benched in the Paris Olympics.

Fans developed a complex, or an idea about how they feel he should have responded to that. Tatum disagrees. Strongly.

“People want me to be louder, people want me to be meaner, whatever. One thing about Jayson is — I’m always going to do what the (expletive) I want to do.”

Tatum won his Gold Medal like anyone else. And if his start to the 2024-2025 season is any indication, he’s taking any and all comments personally as the Celtics embark on their title defense.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks in Disarray

Antetokounmpo didn’t hold back after a November 8 loss, a 116-94 blowout at Madison Square Garden, when speaking with reporters postgame. He admitted that the Bucks “didn’t compete” against the Knicks.

“Teams are not just gonna give us games,” Antetokounmpo said. “They’re not gonna feel bad for us. We’ve gotta compete every single possession. Every loose ball, we’ve gotta get a body on the floor & put it on the line. We didn’t compete at all.”

The two-time MVP went on to question the passion of his Milwaukee teammates, highlighting the upcoming game against the Celtics.

“At least give yourself a chance,” He continued. “We came to New York after playing great last night. We come here, we lose by 30. Are you okay with not competing? I know I’m not okay with that (expletive). We’ve got Boston in two days. We don’t compete, we’re gonna lose by 30.”

They didn’t lose by 30. But to give away a 17-point lead stings just as much, if not more.

Boston and the Bucks won’t meet again until December 6 at TD Garden. Look for a continuation of fireworks between the two Eastern Conference title hopefuls.