At the moment when the foul is whistled, Jaylen Brown Pats the back of his head repeatedly. The Celtics winger is trying to make it clear to the Pacers and their audience that he was hit by Buddy Hield from behind, on his game-winning shot attempt. There are then three seconds left to play and the two teams are tied (131-131).
Influenced by the reaction of several of his players, Rick Carlisle nevertheless decides to use the “challenge” to watch the action again. Was the Celtics player, immense in this game (40 points at 17/26 on shots), really hit by his opponent? After slowing down, the referees decided to reverse their decision, saying no, to the great amazement of the visitors.
Failing video refereeing?
Buddy Hield's confession at the time won't do much to ease their anger. “ He told me he had made a mistake (Brown). I can't wait to see the last two minutes report », Calmly reports Joe Mazzulla after the meeting. A version confirmed by the person concerned.
“ I told Joe what I told Joe. But there are three referees on the field and the replay center, and I guess that's what the slow motion is for. I thought maybe I hit him a little bit, but there are three referees, they have cameras and they slow down the viewing angles. I felt like the contact wasn't excessive. I know I hit the ball, maybe hit Brown in the head a little bit. I'm not very sure “, admits the backensuring with a smile that they have a “ angel ” above him.
This change in the referees' posture is all the more difficult to swallow for the C's as on the following possession, Kristaps Porzingis was penalized for a foul on Bennedict Mathurin. After reviewing the images again, the officials confirmed their decision, awarding the winning free throws to the Pacers player. Meanwhile, Jaylen Brown was swearing, repeating that these decisions were “ bullshit “.
The “right” to be angry
A frustration still perceptible in his post-match comments.
“ He clearly hit me in the head. They (the league) need to investigate, that's all I'll say. It was evident. I've never heard of the head being part of the ball. It doesn't make any sense to me », does not displease the companion of Jayson Tatum, absent last night.
Jaylen Brown describes approaching one of the referees to ask for his side. “ He looks me straight in the eye and says, 'No, you didn't get hit in the head.' I say, 'Okay.' And then we found ourselves at the other end of the field, which cost us the match. And then you expect us not to be frustrated. […] We try to win as many games as possible, and we just lost one because of that. »
The Celtics player believes that he and his clan have “ the right to be angry. The league should understand. So there should be no fine. But I really think this matter should be investigated. »
