Former Celtic player sent off for hitting Jayson Tatum 'like Ray Lewis' in open court

There appears to be no love lost between Jayson Tatum and one of his former teammates.

Grant Williams played alongside Tatum on the Boston Celtics from 2019 to 2023. The Celtics won the title in their first year without Williams.

Well, the Celtics visited Williams' new team, the Charlotte Hornets, on Friday night, and Williams showed no mercy.

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Grant Williams #2 of the Charlotte Hornets fouls Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics in the fourth quarter during their game at the Spectrum Center on November 1, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)

Near the end of the game, Tatum was dribbling down the court when he was hit on the side by Williams. Both players fell to the ground and a short skirmish between both teams ensued.

Williams was given a blatant B as the referees ruled the hit a “non-basketball play,” and Jaylen Brown agreed.

“He hit him like it was a football game,” he told reporters after the game, saying the hit was “intentional.”

“Like Ray Lewis coming through the middle. It is what it is. Grant knows better.”

“Actions speak loudly, so it is what it is,” Brown continued. “We got the win, we’re moving forward, but there’s no room for that in the game. I thought JT and Grant were friends. I do not think so.”

Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday (4) helps Jayson Tatum (0) get to his feet after a foul late in the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center. (Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images)

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Tatum said that Williams was “one of my closest friends in the league,” while Williams said the hit was not intentional but admitted fault.

“I think it was mostly because he didn’t see me,” Williams said. “I reach forward, and I definitely made contact with the body before I reached it.”

Grant Williams, #2 of the Charlotte Hornets, guards Jayson Tatum, #0 of the Boston Celtics, in the first quarter during their game at the Spectrum Center on November 1, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)

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The Celtics won the game 124-109, and it won't take long to see if there's still any bad blood. Both teams are back in action Saturday night at 6 p.m. in Charlotte.

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