The Boston Celtics came back from a dominant 6-0 road trip riding high, but their return to TD Garden turned into a disaster. The Miami Heat snapped their winning streak with a convincing 124-103 win, but the loss itself wasn’t even the biggest headline. Instead, all eyes were on Jayson Tatum, the officiating crew, and an outraged Celtics broadcast team that simply couldn’t believe what they were witnessing.

Tatum, who’s no stranger to frustrating nights with the refs, picked up yet another technical foul—his 14th of the season. And if that wasn’t controversial enough, the call that led to it had the Celtics’ announcers fuming. They didn’t hold back, calling out the officiating for what they saw as a blatant inconsistency. If Tatum isn’t careful, he’s two techs away from a one-game suspension, and at this rate, it feels like the refs are practically daring him to reach that number.

It all went down in the third quarter. The Celtics had clawed their way back into the game after falling into a deep hole early. Jaylen Brown was heating up, and even Tatum, who had struggled all night, was starting to get into a rhythm. Then came the play that sent everything spiraling. Tatum was trying to get position when Miami’s Davion Mitchell slid in front of him, appearing to use his left leg to throw Tatum off balance. A clear foul, right? At least, that’s what everyone wearing green thought. But instead of a whistle against Mitchell, the refs called Tatum for an offensive foul.

Tatum clapped his hands in frustration—not at the refs, not in their faces, just a simple clap. That was all it took for an official to slap him with a technical. Just like that, momentum swung back to Miami, and the Celtics’ sideline went ballistic.

Frustrated by this, Jayson Tatum posted on Twitter saying “These refs and these technical fouls 😂🤦🏽‍♂️“

The Boston broadcast team couldn’t believe it.“Watch the left leg of Davion Mitchell,” they said, breaking the play down in real time. “He’s using that left leg to dislodge Tatum. You’re not allowed to do that. But because he’s small, he can get away with it?” They weren’t done. “If anybody else does that, that’s a foul! He’s six feet tall going up against Tatum, who’s 6’9”, and somehow he gets away with it?” At that point, it wasn’t just the Celtics players who were frustrated—it was everyone watching at home.

Tatum is running out of room

This latest technical isn’t just another bad call. It’s the 14th time this season that Tatum has been hit with a tech, and that’s a serious problem. The NBA rulebook is clear: reach 16 technical fouls in a season, and you’re sitting out a game. Each one after that costs a player $5,000, and every second one after the 16th results in another suspension.

For a team that’s gunning for the top seed in the East, that’s a disaster waiting to happen. Tatum is the Celtics’ best player, and if he gets hit with two more questionable techs, Boston could be without him for a critical game down the stretch. The NBA does have a review process, and some technicals get rescinded, but it’s far from a guarantee.

The timing couldn’t be worse either. Just two days before this Miami game, Tatum was called for his 13th technical in a matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies. That one also came from him expressing frustration with the officiating. If this keeps up, he might have to start wearing mittens on the court to avoid getting called for clapping.

Tatum isn’t the only one feeling the heat from the refs this season. Across the NBA, players and coaches have been calling out officiating inconsistencies more than ever. Tyronn Lue ripped into officials earlier this year. Steve Kerr was livid over a crucial foul call in a Warriors game against Houston. And fans? They’re over it.

It’s not just about bad calls—it’s about the lack of consistency. Players are getting called for technicals for showing the slightest frustration, yet clear fouls are being ignored. The NBA has tried to be more transparent with its Last Two Minute Reports and referee training programs, but none of that helps when star players are getting techs for things like clapping their hands.

At some point, something’s got to give.

Boston doesn’t have much time to dwell on this one. Their next game is on Friday against the Phoenix Suns, and Tatum will have to tread carefully. Another bad call, another moment of frustration, and he could be staring down a suspension that the Celtics simply can’t afford.

The officiating debate isn’t going anywhere, and if the Celtics’ broadcasters are any indication, patience is wearing thin. If the refs don’t tighten up their calls, expect more fireworks in the coming weeks.

And if Jayson Tatum does end up getting suspended? Well, you can bet Celtics fans—and their broadcasters—are going to have a lot more to say about it.