The Boston Celtics lost 100-95 to the San Antonio Spurs in a key matchup, highlighted by a stark free-throw disparity. Celtics star Jaylen Brown, who scored 27 points without attempting a single free throw, unleashed a strong post-game critique of the officiating. He accused referees of inconsistency in calling fouls, particularly naming official Curtis Blair.
In a tightly contested game between two top NBA teams, the Boston Celtics fell short against the San Antonio Spurs, 100-95. The defeat was marked by a significant imbalance in free throws: the Celtics attempted just four, making all of them, while the Spurs attempted 20 and made 14. This discrepancy played a role in the outcome, as the Celtics lost by five points.
Jaylen Brown led Boston with 27 points but did not visit the free-throw line once, despite driving aggressively to the basket. After the game, Brown expressed frustration over what he called inconsistent officiating. "I'll accept the fine at this point," he said. "I thought it was some bulls---- tonight. I think they're a good defensive team, but they ain't that damn good."
Brown specifically called out referee Curtis Blair, lamenting the difference in physicality allowed on each end of the court. "They refuse to make a call, and they call touch-fouls on the other end," he added. "Every time we play a good team the inconsistency is crazy. I'll take the f----ing fine. Curtis (Blair), all them dudes, was terrible tonight."
Foul calls were somewhat balanced overall, with Boston whistled for 18 to San Antonio's 13. However, many of the Celtics' fouls resulted in free throws for the Spurs. Brown himself committed four fouls, tying a game-high.
The loss dropped the Celtics to 24-14, tying them with the New York Knicks for second in the Eastern Conference. Despite the absence of injured star Jayson Tatum and significant offseason roster changes, Boston remains in contention for the East's top seed. Brown, in a career-best season, is averaging 29.5 points per game and leads the NBA with 16.1 two-point attempts per contest.
"I'm irate at how they officiated the game today," Brown continued. "We shot four free throws tonight and lost the game by four... The inconsistency is f----ing crazy."
