2024 NBA Champion Scores, but Celtics Still Stumble in Painful Loss to Utah
The Boston Celtics came up just short on Monday night, falling 105–103 to the Utah Jazz in a game that ended in controversy and frustration. Late in the fourth quarter, with the Celtics holding a one-point lead, Jaylen Brown appeared to be tripped by Utah’s Keyonte George while driving toward the basket. No whistle was blown, and the ball slipped loose, allowing the Jazz to score in transition and take the lead. After the game, crew chief Kevin Scott explained that both players “slipped and fell prior to any contact,” which is why no foul was called. The decision left Boston’s bench furious and fans stunned at TD Garden, as a missed call arguably cost the Celtics a much-needed win.
Brown didn’t hold back after the game, criticizing the officials for what he viewed as a missed and costly foul. “The whole staff blows the expletive call,” Brown said postgame. “You can’t trip somebody in the fourth quarter and then just be a no-call.” His frustration was understandable given his performance. He scored a game-high 36 points on 13-of-28 shooting, including 11-of-19 from two-point range and 11 trips to the free-throw line. Brown’s energy was the main reason Boston stayed alive in the second half after surrendering a double-digit lead. The Celtics once led by 14 in the first half but were outscored 38–26 in the third quarter, a stretch that completely changed the game’s momentum.
Despite Brown’s strong showing, the Celtics’ poor shooting and rebounding ultimately sealed their fate. Boston shot just 21.6 percent from three-point range 11-for-51, continuing a worrying early-season trend of inefficiency from deep. Brown missed all nine of his attempts from beyond the arc, while other key contributors like Anfernee Simons and Sam Hauser also struggled to connect. On the boards, Utah dominated with a 55–36 rebounding advantage, including 15 offensive rebounds that led to 13 second-chance points. The final blow came when Jusuf Nurkic tipped in a missed shot with 0.6 seconds left, handing the Jazz the victory and silencing the home crowd.
Moving forward, the Celtics will need more balanced contributions across the roster to support Brown’s offensive workload. While Brown continues to deliver all-star-caliber performances, Boston’s secondary scorers must step up. Players such as Simons, Payton Pritchard, and Hauser need to regain their shooting rhythm to keep defenses honest and relieve pressure on Brown. The team also needs to address its rebounding issues, especially on the defensive glass, where second-chance points have been costly all season. Head coach Joe Mazzulla emphasized after the loss, Boston needs to “play harder and smarter.” The Celtics will look to put these lessons to use when they host the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night, aiming to bounce back and prevent another game from slipping away.
