Celtics star wing Jaylen Brown was furious after an apparent no call late Monday night defeat 105-103 To Utah Jazz in Boston, he said, it “cost us the game.”
The Celtics held a one-point lead late in the fourth quarter with Brown holding the ball at the top of the key. Jazz Guard Keyontae George fell while defending Brown, causing Brown to trip over him and lose the ball.
Utah Rookie Walter Clayton Jr.. collected it and threw it into the alley Lauri Markkanen put the Jazz up 103-102 on the fast break with 44 seconds left.
“At this point in the game, you can't make that mistake as an official,” Brown said. “It's the fourth quarter, there's a minute or less left in the game, and you're completely… the entire staff is ignoring this damn call, you know what I mean? It cost us the game. Unacceptable.”
In a post-game pool report, team manager Kevin Scott stood by the decision not to call the foul.
“During the game, the team observed George slip and fall just before Brown slipped on the same spot, causing the ball to be released before any contact was made,” he said.
The Celtics tied the game on their next possession. Nehemiah Ketha split a pair of free throws. Jusuf Nurkic gave the Jazz the lead for good with a turnaround hook shot with one second left.
Brown finished the season with 36 points in 37 minutes as Boston fell to 3-5 on the season.
