Boston Celtics All-NBA forward Jaylen Brown was ejected from Friday’s game against the visiting New York Knicks after picking up twin technical fouls early in the fourth quarter. A visibly angry Brown continued to argue with an official after being subbed out of the game, resulting in a second tech and an early shower.
This was Brown’s first career ejection, and Boston went on to win the game. Still, some members of the Celtics were upset with what transpired. Brown himself voiced his frustration during his postgame press conference, saying he didn’t think the referee who ejected him had a clear view of what happened. Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla was also unhappy with how things shook out. Mazzulla told reporters he was given an unsatisfactory summary of what led to the first technical, and that he didn’t understand what ultimately happened to earn Brown a premature exit.
“The ref told me that he gave him the first technical because Jaylen said ‘don’t call that weak (expletive)’,” Mazzulla explained.
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“I’ve been on the sidelines in the NBA for five years, and I’ve seen players act and say things that are way more disrespectful than that.” Mazzulla said.
“And then on the second one,” Mazzulla continued. “It seemed like Jaylen went to a different referee and the first one was maybe still interacting with him. I didn’t necessarily see what was happening on the second one, but I got a clear explanation on the first one.”
In the game’s postgame pool report, the crew chief for the game Mark Lindsay explained Brown earned a second technical and subsequent ejection for an improper gesture from the sidelines.
Porzingis drops 21 in return from injury, Celtics top Knicks 133-123 https://t.co/oG8sWAHzvp pic.twitter.com/5PeSqny4Xo
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“The second technical foul was called for a wave off directed at the official which under the respect of the game guidelines is considered an overt gesture and an unsportsmanlike act.” Lindsay said.
Mazzulla kept his composure as he explained his own understanding of what happened. He made it clear he was keeping himself from voicing his anger, however.
“I’m doing everything I can to not cost myself $25,000.” Mazzulla quipped.
You can watch the moment for yourself, thanks to our friends at Bleacher Report.
PHOTOS: Boston vs. New York – Celtics get mad after Jaylen Brown ejection, beat Knicks 133-123 https://t.co/laaDydRmqf pic.twitter.com/SJKuktp7ea
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