Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics was teammates with point guard Marcus Smart for seven seasons and the two became great friends during that time. They didn’t always get along, though.

Smart, who was moved this offseason to the Memphis Grizzlies, was not Brown’s favorite teammate at first. Brown disclosed to Celtics CLNS reporter Bobby Manning ahead of Boston’s Sunday night game against the Grizzlies that he had a falling out with Smart early in his career.

“I couldn’t stand Marcus at first,” Brown smiled. “And now I adore him.” It can be like that at times…Marcus and I had a rocky start; I wasn’t the biggest fan of Marcus when I initially moved to Boston…But as time passed, I realized Marcus and I had similar spirits. Marcus would be one of my first phone calls if I went to war with anyone.”

Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart have a long history together

Brown and Smart are both passionate players who come to work with fire in their belly, so it’s not surprising that they first clashed. When Brown was taken in 2016, Smart was one of the Celtics’ more vocal leaders, which meant Smart had much to say to the inexperienced youngster.

Brown quickly evolved into an exceptional guard over the next few years, so the tough love may have worked. Brown, along with Jayson Tatum, is now a franchise cornerstone, just as Smart was before his stunning trade to Memphis.

Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown are both injured.

Unfortunately, neither Smart nor Brown are expected to play during their reunion. Smart is anticipated to miss several weeks due to an ankle ailment, while Brown may miss time owing to a right adductor strain.

However, a homecoming contest is not out of the question. The Grizzlies will travel to Boston on February 4 for a game that should feature a healthy Smart and Brown. Regardless, the rivals who became friends will undoubtedly reunite on Sunday.