Celtics forward Jaylen Brown says the NBA needs to conduct an “investigation” into the controversial call against the Pacers

Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown said the controversial overturned call in the final seconds of his team's 133-131 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Monday night “makes no sense” and “should be investigated” by the NBA. As time expired in the fourth quarter with the score tied 131-131, the Celtics, playing without Jayson Tatum, put the ball in Brown's hands and let him go to work.

He drove the baseline and tried to stop a jumper, but was fouled by Buddy Hield — at least according to the initial call on the ground. That would have given him two possible free throws with 3.2 seconds remaining in the contest. take a look:

However, the Pacers challenged, and after review, the call to a clean block was overturned. Because the Pacers were on the verge of possession, they got the ball. On the ensuing play, Benedict Mathurn was fouled on a three-point attempt and made two of his three attempts at the line to give the Pacers the win.

Everyone on the Celtics was angry about the way the game ended, both in real time and after the fact. Brown appeared in the mouth “This is bullshit,” he shouted on the court as Celtics broadcaster Brian Scalabrine lost his mind during the broadcast. Replays show that while Hield hit the ball, he also hit Brown in the back of the head.

The explanation given by crew chief James Williams at the time was, “After review, the backfield defender, Buddy Hield, hit the ball, and the call was therefore overturned on the ground.”

No pool report was made after the game, but Brown, who finished with 40 points, didn't need one. Here are his expanded thoughts On the situation:

“I think he clearly hit me in the head. I think they definitely need to do some investigation, that's all I'll say. I think it was obvious. I've never heard of a head or part of the ball.” This doesn't make any sense to me.

“I came up and asked: Did I get hit in the head?” [The official] He looked me straight in the face and said, “No, you didn't get hit in the head.” I'm like, “Okay.” Then it came down the other end, and that cost our team the game. Then you expect us not to get frustrated. We try to build good habits. We're trying to win as many games as we can, and we lost one game because of that.

“I feel like we have the right to be upset. The league should understand that. Of course, we will say something about that after the game. So I don't think there should be any fines. But I definitely think so.” Someone should be investigated.”

Celtics coach Joe Mazzola didn't go as far as Brown, But he noted that even the Pacers knew the call was wrong.

“I'm not upset,” Mazzola said after the loss. “Just, Buddy Hield told me he made a mistake [Jaylen Brown]”.

For his part, Hield admitted this, although he said that it was ultimately up to the referees to decide.

“I mean I told Joe what I told Joe,” Heald explained. “But they had three umpires and they had a replay center, and I think that's what the replay is for. I was thinking I might have hit the ball.” [Brown] A little bit, but they have three references and they have cameras and they slow down their angles. I felt like it wasn't excessive contact. I know I touched the ball, and it probably hit Brown in the head a little bit. “I'm not too sure.”

Despite the loss, the Celtics, now 28-8, still have the best record in the league. The Pacers, who improved to 21-15, have bigger things to worry about than the score or outcome. They will await the results of an MRI on star guard Tyrese Haliburtonwho left the win in the first half with a strain in his left hamstring and had to be carried off the ground by his teammates.