Jaylen Brown threw down a thunderous dunk over Chicago Bulls center Jalen Smith on Friday night, in a highlight-reel play that not only electrified the crowd but also brought out an epic reaction from Celtics play-by-play commentator Drew Carter.
With the Celtics clinging to a one-point lead in the fourth quarter of an NBA Cup group play game, Brown took matters into his own hands.
After receiving a screen, Brown drove hard towards the rim, elevating over Smith and delivering a powerful slam that sent shockwaves through the United Center. The moment was made even more iconic by Carter’s live call on NBC Sports Boston.
“Sets the screen for JB,” Carter began, describing the action as Brown made his move. But before he could even complete his thought, Brown exploded towards the basket, leaving Carter no choice but to exclaim in awe. “Oh my goodness! The grave digger has arrived in Chicago!” Carter shouted, his excitement evident as he and his broadcast partner, color analyst and former Celtic Brian Scalabrine, leaped out of their seats.
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The nickname “grave digger” has been gaining traction for Jaylen Brown, and Carter’s emphatic use of it only helped solidify its place in Celtics lore.
Last month, Brown mentioned that he had a few nicknames that were starting to catch on, but he was growing particularly fond of “grave digger.” Carter’s call seemed to be doing its part to ensure the name sticks, adding a sense of intimidation and excitement to Brown’s game.
Drew Carter, alongside Brian Scalabrine, has been a rising star in the world of sports broadcasting, known for his energetic and memorable commentary. The duo has brought an extra level of enthusiasm to Celtics broadcasts, making key moments like Brown’s monster dunk all the more unforgettable for fans watching at home.
The Celtics went on to hold off the Bulls, securing a 138-129 victory on Friday night. With the win, Boston improved their regular season record to an impressive 16-3 and finished NBA Cup group play with a 3-1 record.
Despite their strong performance, the Atlanta Hawks ultimately claimed the top spot in East Group C due to a head-to-head tiebreaker over the Celtics.
Boston, however, still has a chance to advance to the NBA Cup’s knockout stage as the Eastern Conference’s wild card team. For that to happen, the Celtics will need some help from other teams, as they currently rely on winning the point differential tiebreaker to secure their spot.
Regardless of the outcome, the Celtics’ dominance and thrilling performances, led by stars like Jaylen Brown, have already given fans plenty to cheer about this season.
As the NBA Cup continues and the regular season progresses, the partnership of Carter and Scalabrine has been instrumental in making each Celtics game an entertaining experience.
With Carter’s spirited calls and Brown’s explosive plays, Boston fans have been treated to a season filled with excitement, drama, and unforgettable moments like Brown’s emphatic dunk over Smith.
