While the Celtics were busy continuing their dominant run with a win against the Wizards on Sunday, there was something fishy happening in the house of Jaylen Brown’s mother. Yes, Mechalle’s Wellesley home was reportedly broken into by thieves earlier this week. Fortunately, no one was injured in the ordeal. However, the criminal act did force JB to take time off team activities to check on his mom.

As it turns out, the reigning Finals MVP missed practice this week to be with his mother after the break-in at her home. Although it is unclear if Mechalle was home at the time of the burglary, reports suggest that the thieves took some valuables with them.

Moreover, the act seems to be part of a bigger scheme. Well, the suspects are “believed to be part of a larger criminal ring” that has committed similar thefts in the houses of several big-name athletes in recent months.

The list includes veteran players Mike Conley and Bobby Portis. Even NFL stars are not safe as Travis Kelce, Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow have all been victims of these break-ins.

It was just over a week ago that Burrow’s Ohio home was broken into while he was on a road trip to Dallas to play the Cowboys. Addressing the incident, the quarterback said, “I feel like my privacy has been violated in more ways than one… You know we live a public life and one of my least favorite parts of that is the lack of privacy and that has been difficult to deal with my entire career.”

Obviously, his frustration is justified because such acts put the athletes’ and their families’ safety in jeopardy, just like it did with Jaylen Brown’s mother in the latest case.

What has the NBA done in the wake of recent thefts in players’ homes?

Sure enough, the league office has noticed their players being affected by recent criminal acts. And they even sent a memo to teams last month with the information that the FBI “connected many of the home burglaries to transnational South American Theft Groups that are reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices.”

Reports suggest that the group’s focus is to steal valuable items that can be resold in the black market. Moreover, the league has reportedly warned the players about the ongoing issue and advised them to set up alarm systems and protective guard services at their homes during road trips.

Meanwhile, Jaylen Brown is yet to comment on the theft in his mother’s house as the Celtics prepare to face the Bulls tomorrow. He is likely to be available for the game as it will be played in Boston’s TD Garden.