Tech Trouble: Celtics Crumble Late as Controversial Calls Spark Heated Showdown

The Boston Celtics faced a frustrating 117-108 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Thursday night, highlighted by a controversial sequence of back-to-back technical fouls that swung momentum late in the fourth quarter.

The Celtics were holding on to an 86-82 lead heading into the final period before the Bulls erupted with a 17-4 run, taking a 99-90 advantage. Boston attempted to rally and closed the gap to 99-96, but a heated exchange with the referees derailed their efforts. With 5:12 remaining, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla and forward Jaylen Brown were both assessed technical fouls after protesting a call. Brown had scrambled for a loose ball, expecting a foul to be called, but the officials ruled it a jump ball instead.

Brown approached referee Justin Van Duyne seeking clarity on Mazzulla’s technical, which he believed was unjustified. “I said to [Van Duyne], ‘You called a tech for no reason,’” Brown explained. “He responded, ‘If you say it again, I’m going to call another tech.’ You can’t threaten players with technical fouls—that’s not part of the game.” Brown’s response earned him a technical foul as well.

According to crew chief Tony Brothers, Mazzulla’s technical foul was assessed for leaving the coach’s box and stepping onto the court, while Brown’s was for questioning the referees’ integrity multiple times. The ensuing free throws by Zach LaVine, followed by a deep three-pointer, restored Chicago’s control with a 104-96 lead. Later in the quarter, Jayson Tatum picked up another technical, effectively sealing Boston’s fate.

The tension didn’t subside postgame, as Mazzulla tried to confront Van Duyne but was restrained by his assistants. Reflecting on the incident, Mazzulla downplayed the confrontation, stating simply, “The ref did his job when I stepped onto the court, and that’s it.” Despite the loss, the Celtics will look to regroup after a tough night filled with missed opportunities and heated exchanges.