Celtics' Jaylen Brown criticizes 'foul baiting' in NBA after loss to Thunder

Boston star says players who manipulate the game to draw fouls should not be rewarded.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 3:13pm

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Celtics forward Jaylen Brown spoke out against the NBA's 'foul baiting' problem after his team's 104-102 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Brown, who scored 34 points in the game, said he doesn't 'foul bait' or flop to try to draw fouls, but feels players who do are often rewarded with calls. He cited specific plays where he felt he didn't get the 'benefit of the doubt' from officials compared to players who embellish contact.

Why it matters

Brown's comments highlight a growing debate in the NBA around the issue of players manipulating the rules to draw fouls, often referred to as 'foul baiting.' This tactic has become increasingly common, with some of the league's top scorers like the Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander known for their ability to draw fouls. Critics argue it takes away from the flow of the game and rewards players for not playing 'the right way.'

The details

In the loss to the Thunder, Brown hit 13 of 14 free throws, while Gilgeous-Alexander went 7-for-8 from the line and broke Wilt Chamberlain's record with his 127th straight game scoring at least 20 points. Brown said there were plays where he felt he drove to the basket aggressively but didn't get the 'benefit of the doubt' from officials, suggesting he would have if he had flopped or embellished the contact. Earlier in the week, Brown was ejected from a game against the Spurs after arguing a non-foul call.

  • On March 9, 2026, Brown was ejected from the Celtics' game against the Spurs after arguing a non-foul call.
  • On March 13, 2026, Brown scored 34 points in the Celtics' 104-102 loss to the Thunder.

The players

Jaylen Brown

A star forward for the Boston Celtics who has been outspoken about his distaste for 'foul baiting' tactics in the NBA.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

The Oklahoma City Thunder guard who broke Wilt Chamberlain's record by scoring at least 20 points in his 127th straight game. Gilgeous-Alexander is known for his ability to draw fouls and has been criticized by some as a 'free-throw merchant.'

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What they’re saying

“I don't know, maybe it all works in the end, but I just don't foul bait. I'm not looking to flop or anything like that, but it's almost like you got to. It's almost like, because there's a couple of plays in the fourth quarter where I felt like I drove strong, went up strong, and I didn't get the benefit of the doubt. But maybe if I would have flopped, maybe I would have been able to sell that call. And those decide games.”

— Jaylen Brown (New York Post)

What’s next

The Celtics and Thunder are scheduled to play again in 12 days, giving Brown and his team a chance to seek revenge against Gilgeous-Alexander and the league-leading Thunder.

The takeaway

Brown's comments highlight a growing debate in the NBA around the issue of 'foul baiting' and whether the league should do more to discourage players from embellishing contact to draw fouls. As one of the league's top players, Brown's stance could help spur further discussion on how to address this problem and preserve the integrity of the game.