Game 2 of the 2024 NBA Finals ended with a bit of controversy on Sunday thanks to Jaylen Brown.
The Boston Celtics beat the Dallas Mavericks in Game 2 105-98, going up 2-0 in series in the process. The game was a lot closer than Game 1 of the series, though the Celtics held the advantage for a good portion of the game. However, the big moment of the game came with 50 seconds left, with the Mavericks down by five and P.J. Washington looking to get Dallas back in it.
Kyrie Irving passed the ball to Washington on a break, but his attempt was rejected by Derrick White and the rim in a big way. The Mavericks wouldn’t score another point in the game after that attempt, but NBA fans noticed something off about the play. On a replay, fans caught Brown pushing Washington during the drive, a move that should have been called a foul and given the Mavericks two shots at the line.
Down 5, 50 seconds left, PJ Washington has a dunk but gets pushed in the back by Jaylen Brown. No call pic.twitter.com/sZASBCOW9S
— Jo (@MavsStan41) June 10, 2024
VIDEO:
PJ Washington fouled by Jaylen Brown on the block by White? pic.twitter.com/Mf8JKMnwrt— 3030 (@jose3030) June 10, 2024
Yeah, that’s pretty blatant right there. If the Mavericks were able to down both points at the line, a three-point game with 50 seconds left is a lot easier to work with than a five-point game. Not a great look from the referees here!
Here’s how NBA fans reacted to the missed call on Jaylen Brown at the end of Game 2
PJ Washington I am genuinely seeing red
We could’ve cut it to 2 or 3 GIVE IT TO LUKA DONCIC IM FUMING.
— lynz (@lynziekate) June 10, 2024
PJ Washington was clearly pushed in the back and a no call.
Can’t miss it
— Truth (@TruthTakes_) June 10, 2024
PJ Washington got fouled
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) June 10, 2024
They missed that hand on PJ Washington's back there from Jaylen Brown. That's a tough block but that's also a foul.
— Michael Sykes, II (@MikeDSykes) June 10, 2024
Jaylen Brown fouled PJ Washington on that block, missed call 🤦♂️ pic.twitter.com/dNebaidCdO
— SM (@SMHighlights1) June 10, 2024
Now that I see the replay, Jaylen Brown definitely pushed PJWashington in the back (as well as DWhite slapped PJ on the hand). He should've been shooting 2 to cut it to 3 and put all the heat back on a cold-shooting Boston. But the refs aren't going to call that in Boston.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) June 10, 2024
