Philadelphia 76ers star Jaylen Brown returned to TD Garden for the first time since being traded from the Boston Celtics to the Sixers this summer, but his comeback was rather awkward.
He sat out Saturday night's preseason game and may never have appeared on Philadelphia's bench.
NBC Sports Boston sideline reporter Abby Chin said that the former Celtics star likely spent the entire contest in the locker room.
"Jaylen Brown, a former Celtic, is in the building," Chin reported in the second quarter. "He's not on the bench. So, we believe he's back in the locker room here in Boston for the first time since he was traded away this summer."
Brown did take part in pregame warmups, where another moment caught fans' attention and rapidly went viral across social media.
He and longtime teammate Jayson Tatum went through their respective routines without appearing to acknowledge each other, prompting speculation about the relationship between the two former championship partners.
Boston went on to dominate the shorthanded 76ers 144-106, with Tatum posting 23 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists. Philadelphia also rested Joel Embiid and LeBron James.
Brown back in Boston after blockbuster trade
Brown spent the first 10 seasons of his NBA career with Boston after the Celtics selected him with the No. 3 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, eventually becoming a five-time All-Star and helping the franchise win a championship.
That partnership with Tatum ended this summer when Boston sent Brown to Philadelphia in a blockbuster deal.
In return, the Celtics received Paul George, two first-round picks, and two second-round picks.
Brown will have another chance to face Boston before the 2026-27 regular season tips off, as the Celtics visit Philadelphia on October 16 for their final exhibition game.
Their regular-season matchups begin November 10 in Philadelphia, followed by meetings in Boston on January 21, back in Philadelphia on February 7, and at TD Garden on March 7.