Celtics’ Jaylen Brown blasts officiating after loss to Spurs

Frustration boiled over for Jaylen Brown after Boston’s 100-95 home loss to the Spurs on Saturday night.

The Celtics attempted just four free throws in the game, prompting Brown to unload on the officiating crew afterward and even single out crew chief Curtis Blair by name.

“I’ll accept the fine at this point,” Brown said, via ESPN’s Tim Bontemps. “I thought it was some bulls— tonight. They’re a good defensive team, but they ain’t that damn good. The inconsistency is crazy.”

Brown said the issue has become familiar whenever Boston faces quality opponents.

“Every time we play a good team, it’s the same thing,” he said. “They refuse to make a call, then call touch fouls on the other end. I’m driving, I’m physical, I don’t flop. Zero free throws tonight. I’ll take the fine.”

San Antonio went 14-for-20 from the line, while Boston finished 3-for-4, with two of those attempts coming from Derrick White in the final minute.

“If we can’t get to the free throw line and teams are allowed to bump us off our spots, it’s hard to win games like that,” Brown said. “We lost by five and shot four free throws.”

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla took a more measured approach, pointing to defensive discipline.

“We have to be better defending without fouling,” Mazzulla said. “There are four or five fouls we can control. We’ve got to clean that up.”

Brown finished with 27 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, but struggled late. He went 1-of-9 in the fourth quarter, missed a wide-open three with Boston down two, and later had the ball stripped by De’Aaron Fox, leading to a Julian Champagnie layup that sealed the game.

“In the end, I thought we played well for the most part,” Brown said. “A few possessions got away from us. That’s on me too.”