Atlantic Notes: Williams, Achiuwa, K. Johnson, Nets lineup

A Grant Williams Foul on Celtics star Jayson Tatum led to the ex-Boston striker being sent off on Friday evening (video link via NBA.com). teammate Jaylen Brown According to The Athletic's Jay King, he took offense to the foul – deciding a blatant two-pointer – and turned to Williams after the goal, questioning his motives.

“It was certainly intentionalsaid Brown. “What are we talking about here? Have you all seen the same play as me? He hit him like it was a football game, like (former NFL linebacker) Ray Lewis was coming up the middle or something. It is what it is. Grant knows better.”

Williams said he tried to pass the ball and the collision looked worse than it actually was. The Hornets forward said, “If (Tatum) had prepared and actually turned his head to the left,” it wouldn't have looked so bad.

“It was just a hard foul,said Williams. “And we'll play it again tomorrow. It's nothing crazy or unbearable. We all know JT is my type, so no intentional.”

Celtics players weren't so sure. Both Brown and Derrick White reprimanded Williams for the play after the game. While the Hornets forward called Tatum one of his closest friends in the league, Brown made it clear that there was nothing friendly about Williams' game.

“Actions say loud,said Brown. “So it is what it is. We got the win, we're moving forward, but there's no room for that in the game. I thought JT and him were friends. I do not think so.”

Williams jokingly said after the game that he was preparing to bring his former Celtics teammates to his house after the game, but that they probably wouldn't take him up on the offer. Friday's game wasn't just a reunion for Williams. Former Celtic Kemba Walker is on the coaching staff at Charlotte and head coach of the Hornets Charles Lee served as Joe Mazzulla's assistant last year.

We have more from the Atlantic Division:

• Curtsy big man Precious Achiuwa is making good progress with his hamstring strain, but head coach Tom Thibodeau says he still isn't practicing, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post. “He does a little more on the pitch,said Thibodeau. “Once someone can start doing things on the pitch, they usually travel with us. Sometimes it's better to keep him (in New York) because we can do more rehab at the facility.“
• The networks received a spark from the bench Keon Johnson in a Friday win over the Bulls, writes Bridget Reilly of the New York Post. In just five minutes of the second quarter, he hit five straight shots, including two three-pointers and a dunk. Johnson, who scored a season-high 12 points in just nine minutes that night, has a minimum wage contract for this season that is partially guaranteed ($700,000) and includes a team option for next season.
• Nick Claxton hasn't started yet networks while recovering from an offseason injury that kept him out of the preseason. But as Brian Lewis of the New York Post writes, head coach Jordi Fernandez will have to make some tough decisions when it comes to who stays in the lineup when the team is fully healthy. The Nets have six players who have a starting spot: Claxton, Dennis Schröder, Cam Thomas, Cameron Johnson, Dorian Finney Smith And Ben Simmons. Of those options, Johnson, Finney-Smith or Simmons are probably the most likely candidates to move to the bench. “I mean, whatever. Personally, I feel like I'm a starter when I'm at full strength.said Simmons. “That's exactly what's going on. But yes.“