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Kalan Hooks, ESPN
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown has interacted with the Swoosh once again on social media.
After Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 59 points (five shy of his career-high of 64) and grabbed 14 rebounds to lead the Bucks to a 127-120 overtime victory over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday, Nike apparently referenced the Celtics guard while praising Antetokounmpo’s performance.
They all have a strange energy. https://t.co/f8DTuq2YCQ
—Jaylen Brown (@FCHWPO) November 14, 2024
Nike’s post was likely prompted by an interaction Brown and Antetokounmpo had on Sunday. The Bucks star faked a handshake with Brown in the second quarter of Boston’s 113-107 victory.
“Giannis is a kid… I’m just focused on helping my team get a win,” Brown said after the game.
When Antetokounmpo heard about Brown’s comments after the game, he said the theatrics were all about pure fun.
“We always joke about the flow of the game,” Antetokounmpo said in response to Brown’s comments.
“It’s something I do to my kids, I play. This is who I am. I play with fun and joy.”
Brown’s social media history with Nike dates back to when his former Celtics teammate and now Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving and the company parted ways in 2022 after brand founder Phil Knight, will comment on the termination of the partnership.
“Kyrie crossed the line, it’s that simple,” Knight said. “He just made some statements that we can’t live up to and that’s why we ended the relationship.”
“Since when does Nike care about ethics?” brown wrotequotes tweeting a post about the breakup.
After the Celtics won the 2024 NBA Finals over the Mavericks, Brown released an album with rapper A$AP Ferg titled “Do it“, appearing to reference Nike’s slogan. In the song, he apparently attacked the brand with the phrase: “But now, they replace you like a pair of shoes.”
Brown recommitted to Nike in July after not being selected to play for Team USA at the 2024 Paris Games, tweeting directly at the brand. He followed up with a cryptic post a day later.
@nike Is this what we are doing?
—Jaylen Brown (@FCHWPO) July 10, 2024
I am not afraid of you or your resources.
—Jaylen Brown (@FCHWPO) July 11, 2024
Boston is coming off a 139-114 win against the Brooklyn Nets in which Brown produced 24 points and 12 rebounds on the scoreboards. He averaged 25.4 points and 7.2 rebounds per game for the Celtics.
