Article by David Istrate – Published Wednesday, 06 May 2026, 11:30 / Updated Wednesday, 06 May 2026 11:32
Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown (29) was fined $50,000 for comments he made about the officiating after his team was eliminated in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals by the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Boston Celtics were one of the pleasant surprises of this NBA season, managing to finish second in the Eastern Conference. A lot of credit goes to Jaylen Brown, who, in the absence of Jayson Tatum, became the main offensive weapon, finishing with averages 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists.
Jaylen Brown accused the referees of having an agenda against him and was sanctioned by the NBA
The Celtics also got off to a great start in the NBA playoffs and led the Philadelphia 76ers 3-1. But Nick Nurse's men, led by the giant Joel Embiid, pulled off an impressive comeback and won the decisive match right in Boston, beating their arch rival 4-3.
After the series ended, Brown relented and criticized the officiating, as he has done many times throughout his career. He believed the referees had a clear agenda to call him many fouls as a form of revenge for the comments he made all season.
“Maybe because I talked and criticized the referees during the regular season. So they answered “you will lead the playoffs in terms of offensive fouls”. That's what happened, that was the response of the umpiring brigade. It was very clear,” Brown said on Twitch, as quoted by The Athletic.
“I actually talked to some refs and they said it was an agenda every game. 'Every time Jaylen raises his arm, just on reputation, you whistle,'” the Celtics leader added.
Following the comments made, The NBA has decided to fine Jaylen Brown $50,000. In January, he was fined $35,000 for criticizing referee Curtis Blair and saying his team was terrible.
