SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Boston Celtics All-Star Jaylen Brown's frustration with officials boiled over during the first half of Tuesday's game against the San Antonio Spurs when he was ejected after receiving back-to-back technical fouls.
Brown did not speak to reporters after the game unlike Boston's first matchup with San Antonio when he was fined for criticizing the officiating crew.
The Celtics stood up for Brown on Tuesday after a 125-116 loss in a physical battle between the No. 2 teams in each conference.
“He definitely earned the first one and then I thought the second one was (expletive), honestly,” Boston guard Derrick White said. “I mean, it’s a passionate game, high-level game. You can’t throw out a guy that’s done so much for us all year in a game like this, especially joining in, like I wouldn't throw him out. I think that was ridiculous.”
Brown was upset after no foul was called when he lost the ball out of bounds with 3:42 remaining in the first half.
White and Jayson Tatum both believe Brown was pushed on the play and were confounded it led to an ejection, especially in a nationally broadcast marquee matchup.
“He definitely got pushed,” Tatum said “The first tech probably warranted, emotions are high, but second tech ...? You've got to understand, national TV game, two of the best teams in the league and you make a big deal about stars playing and then you're trigger happy, throw somebody out the game. So I disagree with it.”
Brown has voiced his displeasure with the officiating previously, which added to his exasperation and first ejection of the season.
Brown’s official X account shortly after he reached the locker room Tuesday expressed his frustration.
“This the (expletive) I be talking about,” Brown posted.
Brown had eight points and seven assists in 15 minutes when he was ejected.
It marked the second time Brown was agitated with a lack of calls against San Antonio.
The NBA fined Brown $35,000 on Jan. 12, a day after he criticized officials following a 100-95 loss to San Antonio.
“I feel like, honestly, they just got away with a lot, and I’m tired of the inconsistency,” Brown told reporters in Boston after that game.
The Celtics took just four free throws in that home loss to the Spurs.
Boston had 17 free throws on Tuesday while San Antonio had 25.
Brown's frustration showed early in the rematch.
Official Tyler Ford assessed the first technical after Brown continued to voice his displeasure at the no-call after he lost the ball out of bounds.
The technical incensed Brown, who had to be restrained by teammates from approaching Ford. Official Suyash Mehta assessed a second technical seconds later, resulting in an automatic ejection.
NBA Rule No. 12 requires an ejected player or coach to leave the playing area and bench immediately upon notification, but Brown remained after the ejection as he continued yelling at Ford. Players and staff, including Boston coach Joe Mazzulla, had to restrain Brown from approaching Ford. Brown threw his hands up in disgust before walking off the court.
Mazzulla said Brown had his full support, but he also did not want to speak about the officiating.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Please purchase a Premium Subscription to continue reading.
To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account.
We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription.
A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means you’re helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much!
Only subscribers can view and post comments on articles.
Already a subscriber? Login Here
“Powerful, moving, and exhilarating” Read moreSongs For A New World
All are invited to attend this silent, unprogrammed meeting where we listen for the spirit o… Read moreSan Mateo Quakers
Exclusive film screening in San Mateo Read moreA LITTLE FELLOW: THE LEGACY OF A.P.GIANNINI
delynsimons said:
CA Is Burning said:
NOTHING the government will do will alleviate traffic. This is simply a way to line the pockets of the unions and our government officials.
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Error! There was an error processing your request.
Sorry, an error occurred.
Already Subscribed!
Cancel anytime
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Secure & Encrypted
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
| Rate: | |
| Begins: | |
| Transaction ID: |
A receipt was sent to your email.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.