Morning Sports Update

‘Unacceptable’: What Jaylen Brown, NBA official had to say about controversial moment in Celtics’ loss

"Cost us the game."

Jaylen Brown Celtics Jazz foul call explanation
Jaylen Brown during the Celtics' loss against the Jazz. Matthew J Lee/Globe staff

By Hayden Bird

3 minutes to read

Jaylen Brown sounded off after Celtics’ loss: The Celtics squandered another second half lead on Monday, falling to the Jazz at home 105-103. The standout moment came with just under a minute remaining, when Boston — clinging to a one-point lead — was not given a foul call even though it seemed like Jaylen Brown had been tripped while driving with the ball.

Utah’s Lauri Markkanen promptly scored on the other end of the floor as the Jazz took the lead.

After the game, Brown was not happy with the lack of a call.

“You can’t have a mistake like that as an official at that point in the game,” Brown told reporters. “It’s fourth quarter, it’s a minute left in the game or less, and you completely — the whole staff blows the f***ing call, you know what I mean? Cost us the game. Unacceptable.”

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The NBA’s official explanation came via answers to the pool reporter questions (conducted by Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe). The referee crew chief Kevin Scott provided responses.

Here’s the transcript, via the NBA:

QUESTION: With about 47 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Keyonte George fell in front of Jaylen Brown, who was driving toward the basket. Brown then fell over George, but no foul was called. What was your view of this play, and why was no foul called on George?

SCOTT: During live play the crew observed George slip and fall just prior to Brown slipping on the same spot resulting in the ball becoming loose prior to any contact.

QUESTION: During live play that was your view. Did you have a chance to look at it? Is that still your view of it?

SCOTT: That’s still my view after being on the floor in live play.

QUESTION: Why is that not a foul?

SCOTT: Because the crew observed both players slip and fall prior to any contact. That’s why a foul was not called during live play.

Brown, who joked before unleashing his comments that, “Man, y’all going to get me fined,” could face action for the league for his pointed criticism of officials. But the 29-year-old appeared genuinely mystified by the decision.

“They’re telling me like, ‘Aw, we didn’t see it.’ How did none of you see it? You can’t trip somebody in the fourth quarter and then just be a no call. It’s some bulls***.”

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Trivia: Since it was first awarded in 1969, the NBA Finals MVP has gone to six different Celtics players. Can you name them all?

(Answer at the bottom).

Hint: Their initials are: JH, JW, CM, LB, PP, JB.

Scores and schedules:

The Celtics lost to the Jazz 105-103 on Monday. Boston will play the Wizards tomorrow at home, with tipoff set for 7:30 p.m.

Tonight, the Bruins play the Islanders in New York at 7 p.m.

On Sunday, the Patriots will travel to Tampa to play the Buccaneers at 1 p.m.

More from Boston.com:

Notable attendees: Drake Maye and Will Campbell sat court-side at the Celtics’ game on Monday.

On this day: In 2021, the Bruins defeated the Red Wings 5-1 at TD Garden. The game was notable as Patrice Bergeron scored four goals, tying his career high tally.

Daily highlight: This was an absolutely flawless release from Marvin Harrison Jr. on what ended up being an easy touchdown during the Cardinals’ win over the Cowboys on Monday Night Football.

Trivia answer: John Havlicek, Jo Jo White, Cedrix Maxwell, Larry Bird, Paul Pierce, Jaylen Brown

Hayden Bird

Sports Staff

Hayden Bird is a sports staff writer for Boston.com, where he has worked since 2016. He covers all things sports in New England.

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