Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown has found himself in hot water after making a controversial remark about Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes, prompting widespread backlash and a subsequent apology from the All-Star.
The incident stems from Brown’s recent comments where he referred to Barnes in a way that many interpreted as insensitive. During an appearance on the White Noise Podcast, Brown addressed the fallout, admitting that his choice of words was misguided and expressing regret for not being aware of the context surrounding the teasing Barnes had already endured.
“First, I didn’t know that was a thing. For Scottie, I said the comments, but I didn’t know that was something that people had already been teasing him about or something like that. So I apologize for that, for being unaware of that,” Brown explained.
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He further clarified his intent, noting that his reference to an “extra chromosome” was meant positively, drawing from superhero lore like Superman or the Incredible Hulk, whom he views as enhanced figures. “When I said extra chromosome, people looked at it like something negative I was trying to say. But I was thinking like Superman, Incredible Hulk—I’m a Marvel guy—so extra chromosome would be a benefit,” he added.
Brown conceded that it would have been wiser to avoid the comment altogether, earning praise for owning up to the mistake and clarifying his position rather than doubling down.
This controversy comes amid Brown’s strong start to the season, where he’s stepped up as the Celtics’ primary scorer in the absence of Jayson Tatum, quelling preseason doubts about his ability to lead the team.
Adding to the narrative, the Celtics recently faced the Raptors on Friday without Brown, who sat out his second game of the season due to a non-COVID illness. Despite his absence, Boston dominated with a 112–96 win, powered by Payton Pritchard’s 33-point performance. The victory boosted the Celtics’ record to 17–11, giving them a short respite before their next matchup against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday.