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Jaylen Brown Slams Foul-Baiting After Close Celtics Loss

3/14/2026

22 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics criticized foul-baiting after the 104-102 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, saying, "I just don't think it's basketball."
Brown led Boston with 34 points and 14 free-throw attempts, but he said he could have drawn more calls in the fourth quarter.
The remarks followed a recent ejection for arguing a no-call.
The Celtics remain competitive in the Eastern Conference, holding the No. 2 seed.

History

Historical Context

In 2004, the NBA tightened rules against flopping to improve game integrity, responding to criticism from stars like Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant after a season marked by a 20% rise in free-throw attempts. Jaylen Brown's recent remarks highlight ongoing concerns about officiating and player conduct, reflecting a long-standing debate over fairness in basketball as teams aim for playoff success.

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Story summary

Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics criticized foul-baiting after the 104-102 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, saying, "I just don't think it's basketball."
Brown led Boston with 34 points and 14 free-throw attempts, but he said he could have drawn more calls in the fourth quarter.
The remarks followed a recent ejection for arguing a no-call.
The Celtics remain competitive in the Eastern Conference, holding the No. 2 seed.

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