Jaylen Brown Shares What It Was Like Playing Postseason Games in Atlanta vs. Hometown Hawks

Jaylen Brown had a game-high 32 points, helping the Celtics end their first-round series on hometown Hawks' home floor.

Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

When the Celtics and Hawks first-round series shifted to Atlanta, Malcolm Brogdon, a Peach State native, fresh off winning Sixth Man of the Year, expressed, "Historically, the fans haven't been the most dedicated, and that includes myself growing up here."

Malcolm Brogdon on his hometown of Atlanta:

"Historically the fans haven't been the most dedicated, and that includes myself growing up here." pic.twitter.com/aEBzosVntR

— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) April 21, 2023

The crowd at State Farm Arena responded by showering him in boos every time he touched the ball in Boston's 130-122 Game 3 loss.

Two days later, Brogdon admitted, "It hurts," as captured by CLNS Media. He continued, "I love this city and I love these people. I want to continue to do right by them, and I hope they’ll continue to embrace me when I'm back.

"There’s nothing like being from Atlanta and coming back to play in Atlanta. Even when you’re not on the home team, the people embrace you. They still cheer for you. They still show love, and Atlanta’s always done that for me."

Brogdon added: "This is my home, these are my people, I know this city. I embrace this city, and this city’s embraced me and raised me and loved me; this is where I want it to be all good."

While Brogdon's initial comments required smoothing over, Jaylen Brown, who's from Marietta, Georgia, had a different experience.

Before the series, the two-time All-Star discussed the upcoming best-of-seven against his hometown Hawks, conveying, "It's home; nothing like home. I went to high school there. I won a state championship there, Player of the Year there. (I) grew up there, family there, friends there. So, Atlanta is definitely, no other words to describe it; it's home. So, to be able to start this journey, (and) hopefully, encapsulate it, moving on to the next series, would be a great feeling."

After accomplishing that goal, registering a game-high 32 points, helping the Celtics end Thursday's matchup on an 18-7 run to close the series on the Hawks' home floor with a 128-120 win, Brown shared what it was like for him participating in playoff games in Atlanta.

"I remember my first Atlanta Hawks game, I was 7 years old... I was sitting in the nose bleeds... there's probably a kid sitting up there today watching me feeling the same way I was feeling back then."

Jaylen Brown talks full circle moment winning Game 6 in hometown pic.twitter.com/hGUARY9Mks

— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) April 28, 2023

Further Reading

Celtics Praise Joe Mazzulla's Poise, Adaptability After Advancing Past Hawks: 'That's What It's All About, Especially in the Playoffs'

In Game 6, Hawks Tried to Rattle Al Horford; It Backfired: 'You Talk Trash to Me, Probably Not Good for You'

Here's What We Know About the Celtics-Sixers Second-Round Schedule

Celtics Discuss Difference-Maker in Game 6 vs. Hawks: 'In the Playoffs, You've Got Basketball, You've Got Execution, And Then You've Got This Like Fight That's Kind of Going On'

Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Game 6 Win vs. Hawks: Boston Delivers Late Haymaker, are on to a Date with the Sixers

Jayson Tatum Shares His Perspective on Bucks' First-Round Exit

Film Room: Roots of Celtics' Game 5 Fourth Quarter Collapse

Celtics Share Their Perspective on Game 5 Collapse: 'You Give a Team Life, You Leave It Up to Chance'

Celtics Praise Robert Williams for Impact in What They Deemed a Must-Win Game 4: 'Can't Even Give Words to What Rob Does on Our Team'

Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Game 4 Win vs. Hawks: Jaylen Brown's 22 Second-Half Points Propels Boston to 3-1 Series Lead