Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown may have dodged a bullet in the fourth quarter of Game 4 Monday night.
Brown fouled Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell hard as the veteran reserve tried to grab an offensive rebound. Brown smacked McConnell in the face, sending him sprawling.
The foul was called a common foul on the floor, and after a review, was upheld as one.
Jaylen Brown was called for a common foul on this play on T.J. McConnell.
Was it the right call?
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— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) May 28, 2024
Even if the officials didn’t think Brown hit McConnell across the face intentionally–and he very likely didn’t–many people still couldn’t believe the foul still wasn’t deemed flagrant.
“Shocking that’s not a flagrant,” said Field of 68’s Jeff Goodman.
“Why should it matter that he ‘was trying to go after the ball?'” asked ESPN and SiriusXM’s Frank Isola. “Brown whacked McConnell in the face. That’s a flagrant foul.”
“There was a time, not long ago, when a blow to the head — like Jackson’s foot on Pritchard, or Brown on McConnell — was an automatic flagrant. Intent didn’t matter. Now… Where is the line on just letting them play?” wondered NBC Sports’ Kurt Helin.
“The definitions of marginal and flagrant have never been more confusing,” added Marcus Thompson of The Athletic.
“I’m stunned that wasn’t a flagrant in Brown. Direct shot to the face. Even if unintentional come on,” chimed in Fox Sports’ Jason McIntyre.
Brown avoided an ejection and remained in the game, and thankfully, McConnell was okay and was able to continue as well.
The Celtics and Pacers are currently tied late in the fourth quarter. Get to ESPN.