Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown was fined $50,000 by the league on May 5 for criticizing referees in a livestream following Boston’s Game 7 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round.
NBA.com confirmed the fine, citing Brown’s “public criticism of the officiating” on a Twitch stream the night after the elimination.
Brown returned to Twitch the following night and continued, this time drawing a specific comparison to Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is expected to win his second consecutive MVP award.
“They’re probably gonna fine me another $50K after this, but that was what I had to say,” Brown said on his Twitch stream. “I had to say something. There’s an inconsistency, and it’s there. You called me for all these offensive fouls, and that’s not the reason why we lost, but SGA is about to win his 2nd MVP with the same move.”
Brown framed his frustration as a broader issue, not just a personal grievance
Jaylen Brown STILL GOING IN on the NBA after getting fined 😂😂
“I had to say something. There’s an inconsistency, and it’s there. You called me for all these offensive fouls…but SGA is about to win his 2nd MVP with the same move.” pic.twitter.com/f2jgMNUytp
— Hater Report (@HaterReport) May 7, 2026
The Celtics star was careful to separate his officiating complaints from the reason Boston lost. He acknowledged the Sixers won the series but maintained the foul call patterns were inconsistent across the league.
“I wasn’t intentionally trying to be disrespectful or compromising to the integrity of the game, if that’s what it came across as,” Brown added. “I was just calling it based on how I feel and what I see. There’s been a growing frustration that there is an inconsistency between the regular season and the playoffs.”
Brown is not the first player to voice this complaint or to face consequences for it. Whether the fine discourages him more or provokes a new outburst remains to be seen. The Celtics’ offseason now starts.
More NBA news:
Why Knicks not reaching the NBA Finals would be a disappointment
Draymond Green has a message for New York Knicks fans celebrating
Emmanuel Acho has no sympathy for Austin Reaves after Thunder rout
How Cleveland’s crowd gave Jarrett Allen a moment he didn’t think was his
Steve Kerr’s Warriors decision is no longer just a basketball decision
