By JAMES COHEN, SPORTS REPORTER
Published: 12:52 EST, 9 December 2025 | Updated: 12:53 EST, 9 December 2025
NBA star Jaylen Brown is facing backlash from fans after appearing to make a joke about Down's Syndrome during a live stream.
Boston Celtics star Brown, who recently made headlines for his hairline gaffe, went viral again over his comments - which stemmed from a joke about another NBA star.
During the live stream, Brown was discussing Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes and claimed that the 24-year-old has 'extra chromosome strength'.
When analyzing the Celtics-Raptors game on his stream, Brown said: 'Scottie Barnes is strong as s***. This motherf***er got that extra chromosome strength'.
To claim that an individual has 'an extra chromosome' implies that they have Down's Syndrome, as it relates to the biological condition that leads to it.
The condition occurs when there is a defect involving chromosome 21, usually resulting in an extra copy (trisomy-21).
NBA star Jaylen Brown is facing backlash over appearing to make a Down's Syndrome joke
Brown described Raptors star Scottie Barnes (pictured) as having 'extra chromosome strength'
Brown was analyzing the Celtics-Raptors game on a live stream when he made the comment
It didn't take long for fans to question Brown's comments, which hundreds pouring onto social media after the clip from his stream went viral.
Taking to X, one fan wrote: 'I spit my damn soda out. I wasn’t expecting this to be real. And he really thought that sentence out too'.
'Sad thing is, I think Brown actually believes he's paying Barnes a compliment here,' another disgruntled fan wrote on social media.
Meanwhile, another wrote: 'Take buddy's podcast equipment away rn'.
'Nahhh Jaylen wylin for that... that’s one of those jokes you think in your head and NEVER say out loud,' one user said.
'Scottie just tryna hoop and now he trending for the wrong reason... bro turned a simple compliment into a full PR crisis in 2 seconds flat,' they continued.
During the Celtics-Raptors game, Brown scored an impressive 30 points, while picking up eight rebounds and five assists on the night.
Barnes, meanwhile, posted a double-double after scoring 18 points, 11 rebounds and eighth assists of his own during the win at the Scotiabank Arena.
Fans quickly poured onto social media to question Brown's comments
This season, Brown is averaging 29.1 points-per-game, 6.2 rebounds-per-game and 4.9 assists-per-game in the absence of Celtics star Jayson Tatum.
Brown was the talk of the internet last month after his viral hairline gaffes, after he leaned against an opponent and left a black mark on their jersey - on two occasions.
Fans noticed the dark stains appearing on Brown's rivals and many were left questioning if the Celtics star had used a spray-on hair product on his hairline.
Brown would later go on to own up to his embarrassing moments in a live stream, where he admitted that his hairline is 'cooked'.