Boston Celtics' Jaylen Brown Takes Blame On Game 3 Loss: 'It's A Disgrace'

Up by two with less than a second left coming off a well-executed offensive play, the Boston Celtics were a stop away from sending the Toronto Raptors crashing to a 0-3 hole. But Jaylen Brown failed on his defensive assignment, leaving OG Anunoby wide open from the corner to snatch the game for the defending champs.

"That was just a f---ing disgrace at the end of the game," Brown said. "That was just terrible.”

The Celtics were leading, 103-101, heading to the final play after Kemba Walker issued a perfectly set up assist for Daniel Theis that was supposed to be the dagger to take a commanding series lead.

But Boston blew the chance and the jubilation instantly turned into painful agony.

Kyle Lowry released a cross-court inbounds pass over the outstretched arms of Tacko Fall, finding Anunoby all alone to drill the game-saving three.

"No way we should have lost that game. I take responsibility for that. Not just that play, but a lot of the plays before. And it happens,” Brown continued. “This is the NBA playoffs. Either you let them gain momentum, or you come back and be ready to play next game."

Brown was held in the paint during the final play after what appeared to be a miscue on defense between him and Jayson Tatum.

The fourth-year man was left guarding Gasol in the middle as he tried to impede a possible game-tying basket; this, however, gave Anonuby a clear lane from the baseline to the left corner to launch the uncontested trey.

"Just a miscommunication (of) the coverage that we were in," Brown continued. "That's all that really is. They made a remarkable play at the end. (Anunoby) snuck along the baseline, and we just gotta communicate better, that's it. As a unit, that can't happen. We were matched up and OG snuck along the baseline, didn't recognize him early enough and he got a wide-open look.

"We gotta be better than that. We gotta communicate better. Me being four years in, I gotta be better. Can't give up the 3 at the end of the game ... he made a remarkable shot, but still.

The loss was a straight punch to the gut of the Celtics as it took away their chance to move on the cusp of entering the Eastern Conference Finals.

"It's a f---ing disgrace. Terrible. No excuse for it. At all. It was ridiculous. Can't take your foot off the gas at all. We gotta be ready to play Game 4."