The Boston Celtics entered last season with high hopes of another championship run. But instead of raising a banner, their journey ended in heartbreak when the New York Knicks eliminated them in the second round of the playoffs.
To make matters worse, franchise cornerstone Jayson Tatum sustained a serious Achilles injury in that series, an issue expected to sideline him for most of the 2025–26 season.
Yet, despite his absence from the court, Tatum continues to dominate headlines, this time for a surprising reason: Fans are in stitches.
Jayson Tatum Has Got a New Look
Recently, Tatum was spotted at the wedding of Los Angeles Clippers guard Bradley Beal. Pictures of the Celtics forward quickly surfaced online, and while weddings are usually about the bride and groom, Tatum’s new look stole the show.
The 27-year-old shocked many when it was revealed that he had traded his usual haircut for fresh braids.
Jayson Tatum with the new look 👀 pic.twitter.com/26jLX9WBbV
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) August 24, 2025
And as expected, NBA fans on X didn’t hold back.
Fans Made a Comparison Regarding Jayson Tatum’s Hairstyle
One comparison was impossible to ignore. The braids immediately drew parallels to Canadian rapper Drake, who famously reintroduced the style in 2016 during the release of his chart-topping album ‘Views’. For fans, seeing Tatum with this look felt like déjà vu.
“why he look like drake,” said one fan, and another one said, “He’s cold with dreads.” But the jokes didn’t stop there.
why he look like drake
— Playoff Basketball (@playoffnba_) August 24, 2025
Another fan chimed in with a sarcastic jab as he recalled the heated feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, which dominated the music world just months ago. Lamar’s hit diss track ‘Not Like Us’ won five Grammys and took center stage at the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show.
Now, fans are playfully suggesting that Lamar might take aim at Tatum too, extending the rap beef into the NBA world.
“Damn Kendrick about to release Meet the Tatums looking like that dead***,” commented one fan.
Damn Kendrick about to release Meet the Tatums looking like that deadass
— John Lazater (@LazaterJohn) August 24, 2025
Whether it was his lighthearted rap battle with Jimmy Fallon, his heavily roasted tattoo of himself celebrating a championship, or even his much-memed ‘overalls and Timberlands‘ pregame fit in New York, Tatum has often been on the receiving end of online mockery.
For fans, the new braided look was just the latest chapter in that ongoing series of fashion experiments gone viral.
“Humiliation ritual,” wrote one fan.
Humiliation ritual
— Pro Betting tips (@brado379138194) August 25, 2025
While most fans were busy trolling Tatum for his braided look, one supporter decided to flip the narrative. Instead of joining in on the jokes, they suggested that the new hairstyle could actually mark a turning point for the Celtics star.
“Future MVP,” said the user.
Future MVP
— We Love Morioh Cho (@anime_paradis) August 24, 2025
If nothing else, the viral moment proves one thing. Whether on the hardwood or attending a wedding, Tatum has a knack for keeping fans entertained.
