The Celtics' Jaylen Brown expressed frustration over inconsistent officiating after a loss to the San Antonio Spurs. He criticized the crew's performance, particularly crew chief Curtis Blair, for allowing the Spurs to get away with physical play while calling touch fouls on the Celtics. Brown's comments came after Boston's poor free-throw shooting, with only four attempts compared to San Antonio's 14-for-20 performance. Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla agreed, emphasizing the need to improve defensive play without fouling.
Brown's performance in the game was mixed, with 27 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists, but he also committed costly turnovers, including a missed wide-open 3-pointer and a turnover that led to a crucial layup by San Antonio's Julian Champagnie. Despite the loss, Brown maintained a positive outlook, attributing the defeat to a few unfortunate possessions and expressing confidence in the team's overall performance.
The Spurs' victory was led by Victor Wembanyama, who scored 21 points, including a pair of jumpers in the closing moments. Wembanyama's return from a knee injury, coming off the bench, showcased his ability to impact the game even after a slow start. The Celtics' loss marked their third straight game with Wembanyama coming off the bench, but he is set to return to the starting lineup soon, with only three more games to miss to remain eligible for end-of-season awards.
