76ers Make Jaylen Brown Decision For Celtics Game

John Jones-Imagn Images

76ers Make Jaylen Brown Decision For Celtics Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Oct 16, 2026 6:14 PM ET

Jaylen Brown watched on as the Philadelphia 76ers dropped to 1-2 on the 2026-27 NBA preseason, falling to Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics 144-106 last weekend. And on Friday, the 76ers looked to end their preseason with a win, returning to Philadelphia to face the Celtics once again.

Brown became one of the NBA’s elite during his first 10 seasons, all with the Celtics. In 2025-26, the former California Golden Bears guard averaged career-highs of 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists, even leading Boston to the No. 2 seed with Jayson Tatum recovering from an Achilles tear.

Yet, despite Brown leading Boston to a successful season that ended with a first-round playoff exit, the Celtics decided to move on from the All-NBA star, and the 76ers pounced on the opportunity. Philadelphia traded Paul George and two first-round picks for Brown, while also landing LeBron James in the process.

Philadelphia 76ers guard Jaylen Brown (7).John Jones-Imagn Images

In the 76ers’ first preseason game against the Celtics, Brown, LeBron and Joel Embiid all sat out, while starting guards Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe played. Boston also played most of its lineup, including Tatum and George. But instead of watching the game from the bench at his former home of TD Garden, Brown watched it from the locker room, avoiding a potentially awkward return to Beantown.

But with the 76ers back in Philadelphia to face the Celtics on Friday, they have elected to play Brown against his former team. Not only that, but 76ers fans also got to see what their regular-season starting lineup will look like, as LeBron, Embiid and Maxey all played as well. However, the Celtics went the opposite route, resting their key players.

“LeBron, Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey are all expected to play tonight for #76ers,” Boston Globe’s Gary Washburn wrote on X. “The #Celtics are expected to give many of their primary players the night off.”

LeBron, Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey are all expected to play tonight for #76ers. The #Celtics are expected to give many of their primary players the night off.
— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) October 16, 2026