Boston Celtics duo fly high in Rising Stars Challenge

On Friday night, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum made Boston Celtics fans proud by putting some green in the 2018 Rising Stars Challenge highlight reel.

For the first time since Jared Sullinger and Kelly Olynyk, the Boston Celtics sent two players to the Rising Stars Challenge. They did not disappoint. Jaylen Brown led all scorers with 35 and Jayson Tatum chipped in with 15.

Clearly, the future is bright in Boston. But no one wants to think about that right now. Let’s look at dunks. Dunks are cool.

House of highlights

In a game that was decided midway through the second quarter, the USA team decided to start their own dunk contest. Naturally, Celtics high flyers Brown and Tatum were caught right in the middle.

Dunk contest?

Down the stretch, things started to get real. As Donovan Mitchell, John Collins, and Dennis Smith Jr. threw down windmills, tomahawks, and 360s, Brown and Tatum got involved. The fans got a dunk contest one night early. Who knows? Maybe we will see a Celtic in the dunk contest sooner rather than later. After this performance, I wouldn’t mind seeing Jaylen or Jayson with some time to prep.

Some new H.O.R.S.E. shot ideas

For a brief moment in the second half, Jayson Tatum turned the Rising Stars game into his own personal H.O.R.S.E game.

With all the focus on dunks, almost no one talked about these two no-look shots. Jayson Tatum hit a 180-layup and bounced it off the top of the backboard three times for a layup. Do you care? No? Ok, here’s Tatum’s windmill again.

Uncle Drew and Big Al in the building

More from Chowder and Champions

• 3 Midseason Chaim Bloom Decisions That Have Killed the 2023 Red Sox
• 10 Patriots Who Will Be Cut by Tuesday’s Roster Deadline
• MLB Screws Red Sox Fans With Broadcast for Mookie Betts Return
• 3 Most Underpaid Celtics Heading Into the 2023 Season
• Red Sox Continue Rollercoaster Season With Massive Win

The crowd was all there! Al Horford made his way over from the Celebrity Game and Kyrie took a break from painting to support the young guys.

Jaylen Brown even gave him a tribute by crossing up Jamal Murray and knocking down the stepback three. I wonder who showed him those moves?

Plenty more to come

Now that the Rising Stars game is complete, its time for Kyrie and Al to give Boston Celtics fans something to watch.

On Saturday, Al Horford will be competing in the Skills Challenge.

Then, on Sunday,Big  Al and Kyrie will be going face-to-face in the All-Star Game.

Next: The 5 faces of the Boston Celtics: The coach, the stars and the future

Stay tuned here on Chowder & Champions for all your Boston Celtics All-Star coverage!