Despite key players missing the contest due to their respective injuries, the Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder prepared to battle each other on Thursday night. Going up against the defending champions brought out the best of Jaylen Brown and company; In particular, Brown had an excellent performance in the lead role against the league’s best defense amid the absences of Jayson Tatum and Derrick White, averaging 34 points, six rebounds and seven assists.
However, it all ended in heartbreak for the Celtics; They lost 104–102 after Chet Holmgren was whistled for a foul on an offensive rebound on the Thunder’s final offensive possession.
Boston’s defense had already done its job, forcing Alex Caruso instead of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to score the game-winning try, but luck was not on Boston’s side, with Sam Hauser being called for a loose ball foul with 0.8 seconds left on the clock and the game tied at 102.
Holmgren made both free throws, and the Celtics could not respond after Peyton Pritchard missed the game-winning attempt from three-point range. Following this, Celtics fans on social media expressed their displeasure at how the clash between the two contenders ended.
celtics fans were angry
Celtics fans did not hide their anger towards the officials, taking to X (formerly Twitter) to express their feelings. Some believe that the Celtics were not at fault for Holmgren’s fall, which was reportedly caused by his teammate Lou Dortch.
“Celtics got fouled. You can’t foul there,” @A_King_Of_1Self wrote.
@aajalas said, “Lou Dort drew a foul on Chet Holmgren and they blew the whistle to end the game on the Celtics. Classic Thunder.”
@LebronJamesBond added, “That’s a weak way to end the Celtics OKC game. On a melee foul with .8 on the clock that sends Chet to the line.”
“The refs called a foul on the Celtics when Lou Douette fouled his own teammate,” @amwalsh16 reported.
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