Celtics star fined for referee comments: What did Jaylen Brown say?

The form of Jaylen Brown has driven the Boston Celtics to third place in the Eastern Conference but an officiating outburst has landed him in hot water with the league.

The Celtics fell to a 100-95 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday night and Brown took issue with some of the refereeing decisions. Boston were awarded just four free throws and Brown lashed out in the post-game.

“I feel like, honestly, they just got away with a lot, and I’m tired of the inconsistency,” Brown said. “I’ll accept the fine at this point. I thought it was some bulls**t tonight. I think they are 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 s**t every time we play a good team. It’s like they refuse to make a call then call touch fouls on the other end.”

Brown went as far as to call out referee crew chief Curtis Blair by name, saying: “Every time we play a good team, the inconsistency is crazy. I’ll take the f***ing fine. Curtis, all them dudes was terrible tonight. I don’t care. They can fine me whatever they want. But it’s crazy. Every time we play a good team, it’s the same bulls**t. Somebody please pull up the clips.”

For his comments, Brown has been hit with a $35,000 fine for public criticism of officials.

But despite that loss of temper, Brown has had an exceptional 2025/26 with the Celtics so far. With Jayson Tatum sidelined with a torn Achilles, Brown has stepped in as the team’s on-court leader and he’s delivered.

Brown is averaging 29.5 points, 6.4 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game this year, catapulting himself into the Most Valuable Player conversation. If Brown can keep up this form and Tatum can be reintegrated back into the team, the Celtics look like genuine championship contenders once again.

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