(Image Source: NBA Sports Boston)
[Saba Sports News] Jaylen Brown and the Boston Celtics were visibly upset over a contentious call towards the end of their game against the Indiana Pacers. The game was tied at 131 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis when Brown was fouled on a critical shot by Pacers guard Buddy Hield.
The Pacers contested the call, leading to its reversal by the referees, despite what appeared to be contact with Brown’s head by Hield.
Postgame, Brown expressed his frustration, suggesting an investigation into the officiating decision. He felt the contact was obvious. The situation worsened for the Celtics when Kristaps Porzingis fouled Pacers’ Ben Mathurin on a three-pointer in the closing moments. Despite a Boston challenge, the call stood.
Mathurin’s subsequent free throws, with only 0.1 seconds left, clinched a 133-131 victory for the Pacers. Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla mentioned in his press conference that Hield even acknowledged fouling Brown during the game.
Brown was the game’s leading scorer with 40 points, in the absence of Jayson Tatum. Mathurin led the Pacers with 26 points from the bench. The Pacers’ win came despite a serious early injury to Tyrese Haliburton.