Why did NBA fine Jaylen Brown? Celtics star hit with a $35K penalty

Jaylen Brown stepped in front of reporters after Boston’s narrow loss to San Antonio on Saturday, and the outcome was not so smooth. The Celtics had dropped a 100-95 game at TD Garden, and the frustration lingered even after the final buzzer. Boston attempted only four free throws as a team. San Antonio took 20. Brown scored 27 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and dished out seven assists, yet never reached the line. His reaction became the center of attention across the league, and by Monday afternoon, the NBA delivered its response with a $35,000 fine.The league fined Jaylen Brown for comments made to reporters and on social media that directly criticized game officials. The NBA cited public criticism of officiating as the reason for the penalty. Brown acknowledged the risk in real time and made it clear he accepted the consequence.“I'll accept the fine at this point,” saying that the officiating was not good enough. “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 (things) every time we play a good team. It's, like, they refuse to make a call, then they call touch fouls on the other end, and that's just extremely frustrating, bro.”Brown continued speaking at length, calling out what he described as repeated inconsistency. He even mentioned an official by name, which all but guaranteed league action. The NBA responded swiftly, issuing the fine before Boston’s next game.The numbers from Saturday night added context to Brown’s anger. Boston entered the game already ranking last in the league in free-throw attempts compared to opponents. Against San Antonio, the gap widened again. The Celtics committed 18 fouls, while the Spurs were whistled for 13, yet most of Boston’s fouls resulted in trips to the line.Brown, who committed four fouls himself, focused on the physical nature of the game and how contact was judged on each end of the floor.“We play hard. We are outplaying our expectations, we compete hard on the defensive end and they reward the other team with touch fouls and we go down there and guys are allowed to get away with — somebody please pull it up,” Brown said. “Every time we play a good team the inconsistency is crazy. I'll take the fine. Curtis, all them dudes, was terrible tonight. I don't care, they can fine me whatever they want.”Brown later doubled down online, writing, “I’m irate at how they officiated the game today,” while again pointing to the four free throw attempts in a four-point loss.Despite the fine, Brown’s on-court production has been standout. He is averaging a career-high 29.5 points while leading a Celtics team sitting at 24-14. Also Read: Jordyn Woods dazzles in winterwear trapper hat as Karl-Anthony Towns’ fiancée shares stunning photos