The Boston Celtics suffered a crushing 105-103 defeat at the hands of the Utah Jazz, a game overshadowed by a highly controversial referee decision in the final minute.

With Boston clinging to a slim lead, Jaylen Brown drove toward the basket only to be tripped when Utah’s Keyonte George slipped and slid into Brown’s path. Every angle seemed to confirm contact, yet the officials declined to blow the whistle, letting play continue.

The no-call not only stunned the crowd but swung the game’s momentum immediately, as Utah capitalized with a fast-break score that changed the landscape of the closing seconds.​

Brown, who exploded for 36 points in the loss, expressed frustration afterward, saying, “You can’t have a mistake like that as an official at that point in the game, a minute left... the whole staff blows the call. Costs us a game. Unacceptable,” capturing the mood of both the locker room and Celtics fans.​

Keyonte George’s Career Night and the Dramatic Finish

While the controversy grabbed headlines, Jazz guard Keyonte George was also the story of the night. George set a season-high with 31 points, pacing Utah’s offense and providing crucial plays on both ends of the floor.

On the final Jazz possession, Jusuf Nurkic tipped in a missed shot with less than a second to play, sealing the comeback win for Utah. The Jazz, previously mired in a multi-game losing skid, breathed new life with the road victory, improving to 3-4 on the season, just ahead of the now 3-5 Celtics.​​

Celtics’ Struggles Continue as Fallout Looms

Beyond the missed call, Boston’s collapse stretched beyond referee decisions. The team squandered a 14-point lead and shot just 21.5% from three, missing 40 attempts. The Jazz dominated the boards 55-36, even while missing leading rebounder Walker Kessler.

As Brown vented his anger postgame, teammates had to hold him back from confronting officials, underscoring the frustration simmering in the Celtics’ camp. The fallout puts pressure on the NBA’s Last Two Minute Report, which is expected to review the play but can offer only closure, not points.

For now, Boston must regroup, hoping for justice from the league and better fortune as they look to rebound in their next match.