Inside The Celtics

Jaylen Brown Calls for Investigation into Celtics Loss to Pacers: 'Got the Right to be Upset'

After a controversial ruling, an official tells Jaylen Brown that Buddy Hield did not hit him in the head despite clear evidence to the contrary.

Bobby Krivitsky

Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
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Jaylen Brown generated 40 points in Monday night's 133-131 loss to the Indiana Pacers.

The two-time All-Star was a force attacking downhill, producing 24 points in the paint -- no one else had more than ten -- pushing the pace in transition, scoring over smaller defenders, and capitalizing off of cuts.

He should've been at the free-throw line with the score tied at 131 and 03.2 seconds left in the game. Instead, after Buddy Hield blatantly hit Brown on the head and the officials got the call correct on the court, the Pacers' prayer of a challenge paid off.

The fact that the egregious error came from replay review when needing to overturn the call on the court made the decision even more baffling.

The Celtics need to focus internally on a defense that gave up 44 points in the third quarter and 75 to Indiana's second unit. That includes a team-high 26 from Bennedict Mathurin.

The sixth overall pick of the 2022 NBA Draft registered his last two points by drawing a shooting foul on Kristaps Porzingis with 0.1 remaining, earning the trip to the stripe Brown didn't get. There, he propelled the hosts to victory.

But while the visitors can't overlook what set the stage for that defeat, Boston's entitled to what are completely understandable emotions and frustrations after Monday's controversial ending.

After the loss, Brown shared that referee James Williams told him he was sure Hield did not hit him on the head despite video evidence clearly debunking that.

Furthermore, Celtics' head coach Joe Mazzulla conveyed that Hield told him post-game that he bumped Brown on the noggin.

The way the whistles went has Boston's star wing calling for an investigation into how the second half of this two-tilt mini-series ended.

Further Reading

Poorly Played 3rd Qtr. Sets Celtics Up for Controversial Loss to More Composed Pacers

Celtics Make Decisions on 4 Players with More than Trades in Mind

Oshae Brissett Making Strong Case to Fill Celtics' Search for Big Wing

Driven by Championship Pursuit, Jayson Tatum Unfazed by Sacrifice, Less Fanfare: 'Don't Look for That Praise'

Celtics Maximization Fueled by Their Maturation: 'Not Taking Days for Granted'

Brad Stevens Shares What Celtics Are Looking to Add and How He Hopes to Do So

Brad Stevens Says Celtics Have 'Green Light' to Add to Payroll, But Boston Still Restricted

Derrick White Opens Up About Journey from Uncertainty He Belonged in the NBA to an All-Star Caliber Guard

Jaylen Brown Quieting Doubters, Validating What He Always Believed: 'Earn Everybody's Trust'

Joe Mazzulla Discusses Identity, Evolution of Celtics' Offense: 'Balance of Pace and Execution'

Jaylen Brown Shares His View of What Defines 'Celtics Basketball'

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Bobby Krivitsky
BOBBY KRIVITSKY

Bobby Krivitsky's experiences include covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter for Basketball Insiders. He's also a national sports talk host for SportsMap Radio, a network airing on 96 radio stations throughout the country. Additionally, he was a major-market host, update anchor, and producer for IMG Audio, and he worked for Bleacher Report as an NFL and NBA columnist.

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