Jaylen Brown fined $35,000 for criticizing officiating after Celtics’ loss

The Boston Celtics continue to put together a strong 2025–26 NBA campaign, carrying a 24–14 record that places them third in the Eastern Conference. Their balanced roster, sharpened offensive execution, and improved defensive cohesion have kept them among the conference’s top-tier teams despite injuries and constant lineup shuffling.

However, Boston’s momentum hit a setback on Sunday, January 11 (PST), following a 100–95 loss to the San Antonio Spurs at TD Garden. The defeat stung not only because it came on home court, but also because of the officiating—at least according to Celtics star Jaylen Brown.

Throughout the game, Brown showed visible frustration with the calls he felt were being missed. After the final buzzer, he took to X (formerly Twitter) and posted: “Fine me I’m sick of this st.” The tension carried into his postgame media session. As reported by Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe, Brown doubled down, saying, “I will take the f*g fine. The inconsistency is crazy. Give me the fine.”

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The league responded swiftly. On Monday, the NBA announced that Brown had been fined $35,000 for his comments.

The following has been released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/kDUKMWWeRG

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) January 12, 2026

“Boston Celtics guard-forward Jaylen Brown has been fined 35,000 for his public criticism of the officiating, it was announced today by James Jones, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations. Brown made his comments to the press and on social media following the Celtics’ 100–95 loss to the San Antonio Spurs at TD Garden,” the NBA’s statement read.

Despite the controversy, Brown delivered an impressive performance on the court, finishing with 27 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists while shooting 11-of-28 overall and 5-of-11 from long range. Still, one stat highlighted his frustration: he did not attempt a single free throw. As a team, Boston attempted just four free throws the entire night—an uncharacteristically low number for a squad known for attacking the basket. The Spurs, by contrast, went to the line 20 times and used those opportunities to maintain control of the matchup.

Even amid the officiating concerns and the recent loss, Brown has been a stabilizing force for the Celtics in the absence of franchise cornerstone Jayson Tatum, who remains sidelined by injury. The 29-year-old wing is producing one of the best all-around seasons of his career, averaging 29.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 5.0 assists on 49.9 percent shooting from the field and 37.2 percent from three.

His ability to carry the scoring load, create for teammates, and defend multiple positions has kept Boston firmly in the upper echelon of the East. Brown’s frustration highlights broader questions about officiating consistency across the league, but it also underscores the weight he carries as the team’s leader during Tatum’s absence.

As the Celtics navigate the heart of the season, cooler heads and continued elite play from Brown will be crucial. If Boston can stay healthy and maintain its form, the team remains a legitimate contender in a competitive Eastern Conference race.

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