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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – OCTOBER 27: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics reacts to a call during the fourth quarter of the NBA game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on October 27, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

The Boston Celtics suffered a frustrating 100-95 loss to the San Antonio Spurs at TD Garden on Saturday night.

Jaylen Brown had every reason to be frustrated with how it ended.

The Celtics led for most of the game but were outscored 50-40 in the second half. Boston shot just four free throws as a team. San Antonio shot 20. Brown himself went to the line zero times despite playing 43 minutes and taking 28 shots.

The disparity was impossible to ignore.

Brown’s Postgame Comments

Brown was asked about San Antonio’s defensive pressure during the game. His answer went somewhere else.

“I’ll accept the fine at this point,” Brown said. “I thought it was some bullshit tonight. I think they’re a good defensive team, but they ain’t that damn good… It’s like they refuse to make a call, then they call touch fouls on the other end. That’s just extremely frustrating, bro.”

He kept going.

“Just somebody please pull up the clips,” he continued. “Every time we play a good team the inconsistency is crazy. I’ll take the f*****g fine. Curtis, all of them dudes was terrible tonight.”

Brown made it clear he would accept whatever financial penalty came his way.

And based on the numbers, it is hard to argue he does not have a point.

Jaylen Brown just went off on the refs:

“I’ll accept the fine at this point. I thought it was some bullshit tonight. I think they’re a good defensive team, but they ain’t that damn good. I hope somebody can just pull up the clips, because it’s the same shit every time we play a

How the Game Slipped Away for the Celtics

The loss dropped Boston to 24-14 and into third place in the Eastern Conference.

The Celtics controlled the game for long stretches. They led by five at halftime and held a 91-88 advantage with under three minutes remaining. Then the Spurs closed on a 12-4 run.

Victor Wembanyama was the difference. The Frenchman scored 16 of his 21 points in the second half, including a clutch mid-range jumper with under 20 seconds left that ended it.

Derrick White led the Celtics with 29 points. Brown finished with 27 points on 11-of-28 shooting to go with 8 rebounds and 7 assists. He was 4-of-9 from three but struggled from mid-range and never found rhythm inside.

The reason showed up in the box score. Brown went to the free throw line zero times. On 28 field goal attempts. In 43 minutes.

For a player who drives to the basket aggressively and absorbs contact on nearly every possession, that number is difficult to justify.

Why Brown Has a Point

This was not the first time Brown voiced frustration with officiating this season. And the data supports his concerns.

After the Celtics’ 114-110 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday, Brown took issue with the lack of calls. He shot just three free throws despite playing 34 minutes.

“I’m one of the more aggressive players in the league,” Brown said after that loss. “I drive a lot. The whistle didn’t equate to that.”

The numbers prove he is not imagining things. Boston is averaging 18.9 free throw attempts per game, the fewest in the NBA. The Celtics are receiving 4.4 fewer free throw attempts than their opponents per game, also the worst mark in the league.

Against teams that have won at least 60 percent of their games this season, that margin grows to 10.7 fewer free throw attempts per game.

The Celtics are now 0-3 against the top-four teams in the Western Conference. Brown sees a pattern that the statistics confirm. And Saturday night, he stopped caring about the consequences of saying it out loud.

Final Word for the Celtics

Jaylen Brown knew exactly what he was doing. He knew what would follow. He said it anyway.

A fine is coming. He does not care.

The frustration has been building all season, and Saturday night it boiled over in the most public way possible. Brown may face discipline for his comments. But when the data backs up his claims this clearly, it is hard to blame him for speaking up.

The Celtics will now head out on the road for six of their next seven games. Brown will likely be lighter in the wallet when they do. But he made his point.

Keith Watkins Keith Watkins is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers. He previously wrote for FanSided, NBA Analysis Network, and Last Word On Sports. Keith is based in Bangkok, Thailand. More about Keith Watkins

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