Celtics Star Jayson Tatum Calls Out NBA Referee On Social Media

Celtics star Jayson Tatum didn’t leave Milwaukee in the greatest spirits Sunday night.

Tensions with referees left Tatum miffed even after scoring a team-high 31 points and pulling down 12 rebounds in Boston’s 113-107 win over the Bucks. The MVP candidate was particularly mad about an incident in the third quarter when Giannis Antetokounmpo prevented Tatum from landing on his feet after a 3-point attempt. Tatum stepped on Antetokounmpo’s foot and favored his right ankle, but the Bucks star was not issued a technical foul.

The five-time All-Star sounded off on the sequence in his postgame media availability and later doubled down on his frustration by taking to social media.

“Smfh some calls you just not supposed to miss,” Tatum posted to X.

The post potentially could yield a fine from the NBA for Tatum, but it would be a drop in the bucket for one of the league’s highest-paid players who clearly wanted to get his point across regardless of possible consequences.

Tatum will be looking for a less contentious evening with referees Tuesday when the Celtics play their first NBA Cup game of the season. Boston’s matchup with the Atlanta Hawks at TD Garden is scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m. ET.