Boston Celtics All-Star Jaylen Brown Criticizes Slippery Court in In-Season Tournament Game
In a recent In-Season Tournament game between the Boston Celtics and the Toronto Raptors, Celtics’ All-Star Jaylen Brown expressed his dissatisfaction with the court conditions, calling it “unacceptable.” Brown revealed that he slipped during the game and may have strained his groin due to the slippery court surface.
Speaking after the game, Brown emphasized the importance of player safety and the need for a safe playing environment. “We’re all here for the In-Season Tournament because it’s going to generate revenue, excitement, and competition, but we’ve got to make sure the floor is safe to play on,” Brown stated. “We can’t put our players out there and risk their health.”
While Brown acknowledged that the In-Season Tournament court in Boston was fine, he mentioned hearing other players from different teams complain about slipping during their games. He urged the league to prioritize player safety before someone gets seriously injured.
Brown’s concerns were echoed by Raptors forward Precious Achiuwa, who agreed with Brown’s assessment of the court as “slippery.” Additionally, Celtics teammate Kristaps Porziņģis called for a review of the court conditions.
Despite the court issues, the Celtics managed to secure a 108-105 victory over the Raptors, improving their season record to an impressive 10-2.
Evaluating Brown’s comments, it is evident that he was furious about his injury resulting from slipping on the court during the fourth quarter. Other Celtics players also expressed their concerns about the court, engaging in discussions in the locker room. Porziņģis, who joined Brown in a joint press conference, confirmed that he too felt the slickness of the new court.
While the new In-Season Tournament courts aim to make the games stand out, it is not the first time one of these courts has encountered problems. This raises questions about the overall quality and safety of the playing surfaces.
Precious Achiuwa’s perspective on the court is particularly significant, considering his history of groin injuries. Having missed most of the preseason and five regular-season games this year due to a similar ailment, Achiuwa is extra cautious about playing on courts that do not meet the required standards. He admitted to slipping multiple times during the game and emphasized the importance of ensuring player safety.
Complaints about the In-Season Tournament courts have been reported, and this incident further tarnishes the league’s reputation. The league must address these concerns promptly to avoid any further injuries or negative publicity.
In related news, readers are encouraged to explore the following articles:
– “Where teams stand in the NBA In-Season Tournament after Night 3 – and what comes next”
– “How NBA’s new tournament takes inspiration from soccer’s oldest cup competition”
(Photo: Maddie Meyer / Getty Images)