Celtics' Jaylen Brown vents frustration over officiating after loss to Spurs - ESPN
Tim Bontemps
January 11, 2026, 01:33 PM
BOSTON -- Following a 100-95 defeat to the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday night, Celtics star Jaylen Brown expressed his dissatisfaction with the officiating, particularly the crew chief Curtis Blair, after Boston's poor free-throw performance. With only four free throws made in the game, Brown felt the officials were inconsistent and favored the opposing team.
"I feel like they got away with a lot tonight, and I'm tired of the inconsistency," Brown said. "I'll take the fine if that's what it takes. I thought it was a bunch of bull tonight. I understand the Spurs are a strong defensive team, but they're not invincible."
Brown emphasized his frustration, suggesting that the officials' decisions were biased. He mentioned that this issue persists whenever the Celtics face a strong opponent, which he found concerning.
"I hope someone can review the footage because it's a recurring pattern. It's as if the officials refuse to make calls, only to call touch fouls on the other end. It's incredibly frustrating."
Brown's frustration was palpable, as he felt the team's hard work and competitive spirit were undermined by the officials' decisions. He mentioned the disparity in free-throw attempts between the teams, with San Antonio making 14 out of 20, compared to Boston's 3 out of 4.
"When we can't get to the free-throw line and teams are allowed to be physical, it becomes challenging to win such games," Brown explained. "We had only four free throws tonight, and the game was decided by four points. While it's not the sole reason for our loss, we need to improve in certain areas."
Brown's performance in the fourth quarter was less than stellar, with a 1-for-9 field goal record and two turnovers, the only ones committed by Boston in that quarter. He missed a crucial 3-pointer with the score tied at 95-93, leading to a turnover and a game-changing layup by Julian Champagnie, which put San Antonio ahead by four points with 37 seconds remaining.
Despite his personal struggles, Brown acknowledged that the team played well overall. He attributed the loss to a few unfortunate possessions and expressed his belief that he should have held the ball to create space. However, the Spurs' victory was sealed by their star player, Wembanyama, who scored 21 points, including a game-clinching jumper with 19.1 seconds left.
Wembanyama's performance was a highlight for the Spurs, who struggled offensively with their young guards. The Celtics' coach, Joe Mazzulla, acknowledged the need for defensive improvements, particularly in controlling fouls without compromising defense.
