BOSTON — Jaylen Brown hasn’t been shy about voicing his displeasure with the officiating this season while taking on a new leadership role. That frustration caught up to him again on Sunday night as he was whistled for his third technical foul of the season after picking up his second foul in the first quarter.
The Celtics unsuccessfully challenged the call after Brown’s technical, leading to an extended rest with 2:13 remaining in the first quarter. The All-Star wing re-entered the game in the second quarter and had no problem finding his offensive rhythm on his way to a game-high 35 points in the 138-129 win for Boston. After the victory, Brown chose his words carefully when discussing picking up his second technical in as many games.
“I don’t know what my career number for techs is per season, but it’s probably the most I’ve gotten early in the season,” Brown said. “I’m gonna just try to keep my mouth shut.”
Brown’s three technical fouls through 17 games ties him with Draymond Green, Gary Trent Jr. and Jabari Smith Jr. for second most in the NBA, trailing just Dillon Brooks (5). Brown is already on his way to more than doubling his total from last season (6) and setting a new career-high for himself (8) as he sees more attention than ever from opposing defenses.
Jayson Tatum has been the most vocal critic of officials in past seasons (13 technicals last season alone) but Brown is taking on more of a leadership role in that regard this year.
However, this isn’t the first time the Celtics star has acknowledged more of a need to keep his cool. He spoke about that balance after a win over the Sixers earlier this month.
“Just getting back to being composed,” Brown said. “We kind of lost our composure for a little bit. I did for a second, getting involved too much with the officials. I got a tech. It was deserved but just play basketball, keep my team composed. That was on me.”
Brown is still playing some of the best basketball of his career despite his run-ins with officials. The 29-year-old is averaging 27.9 points per game with a career-high 50.6 percent shooting from the field through his first 17 games.
He will need to be locked in when he returns to action on Wednesday night as the Celtics host the Pistons at TD Garden and attempt to halt their 12-game winning streak.
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