Grant Williams was ejected Friday after ramming into his former Boston Celtics teammate Jayson Tatum.
Tatum’s Celtics led Williams’ Charlotte Hornets 114-105 with about two minutes left at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, Tatum snatched a defensive rebound and quickly pushed the ball the other way for a transition opportunity. But as the Celtics star crossed the halfcourt line, Williams bodychecked him to the ground like a defensive back trying to make a late tackle.
Grant Williams was ejected after this flagrant 2 foul on Jayson Tatum
pic.twitter.com/YbhC1psP7r
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 2, 2024
Here's a replay of the tackle from another angle:
Grant Williams was ejected for this foul on Jayson Tatum.
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) November 2, 2024
pic.twitter.com/g70jYCGaeU
Williams was assessed a flagrant 2 foul and was forced to leave the playing court.
Tatum powered the Celtics to a 124-109 win with an impressive stat line of 32 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and three steals. Williams played 30 minutes off the Hornets’ bench and tallied six points, seven rebounds and three assists.
Williams spent his first four NBA seasons as a member of the Celtics. Boston traded Williams to the Dallas Mavericks last offseason right before the Celtics went on their championship run. At the time, Williams had a humorous parting message for Tatum that now feels a lot more contentious based on Friday’s altercation.
Earlier this year, Williams also admitted that he had felt snubbed by the Celtics when he first returned to Boston in an opposing uniform during an April 12 contest.
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