In a tightly contested NBA matchup, the San Antonio Spurs secured a hard-fought 100-95 victory over the Boston Celtics on Sunday, January 11, 2025 (Philippine Time). The win, however, was heavily overshadowed by post-game fury from the Celtics camp over what they perceived as lopsided and inconsistent officiating.
Wembanyama and Fox Lead Spurs to Gritty Win
Victor Wembanyama and De'Aaron Fox co-led the San Antonio charge, each contributing 21 points to secure the road win. The Spurs managed to pull off the victory despite a glaring struggle from beyond the arc, shooting a dismal 10-of-44 (23%) from three-point range, well below their season average of 35%.
The game remained close throughout, with the Celtics holding leads but never managing to pull away significantly. The score was tied with just 1 minute and 56 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. From that point, the Spurs engineered a decisive 7-2 scoring run to clinch the game.
Keldon Johnson provided crucial support with 18 points for San Antonio. Julian Champagnie recorded a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds, while rookie Stephon Castle added 9 points.
Celtics Fume Over Free Throw Disparity and Officiating
The central controversy of the night stemmed from a massive disparity in free throw opportunities. The Celtics attempted only 4 free throws for the entire game, compared to 20 for the Spurs. This discrepancy ignited the ire of Celtics All-Star Jaylen Brown, who did not hold back in his criticism after the final buzzer.
"I'm irate at how they officiated the game today," Brown stated emphatically. "If we can't get to the free-throw line and teams are allowed to be physical and bump us off our spots, it's hard to win games like that... Inconsistency is [expletive] crazy. Give me the fine."
Brown further elaborated on his frustration, suggesting a pattern when facing top teams. "On the lack of whistles: 'It's the same sh-- every time we play a good team, it's like they refuse to make a call... I'll take the [expletive] fine. Curtis, all them dudes were terrible tonight,'" he added, directly criticizing the officiating crew.
Individual Performances and Looking Ahead
Despite the loss, the Celtics received stellar performances from their backcourt. Derrick White led all scorers with a game-high 29 points, while the frustrated Jaylen Brown still managed to pour in 27 points of his own.
The Spurs' ability to win despite poor three-point shooting highlights their resilience and the impact of their defensive efforts. The significant advantage in free throw attempts, whether contested or not, proved to be a pivotal factor in the narrow 5-point margin of victory.
This game adds another chapter to the competitive rivalry between these historic franchises, but the post-game narrative is dominated by questions over officiating consistency in the league, a topic that is sure to spark further debate among fans and analysts alike.
