Gregg Popovich Accuses NBA of Bribery in Controversial Spurs vs. Celtics Game
February 14, 2025 .
San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich has launched a scathing complaint against the NBA, alleging that referees were bribed to favor the Boston Celtics in their latest matchup. The shocking accusations have sent shockwaves through the league, sparking heated debates among analysts, players, and fans alike.
A Night of Controversy in Boston
The game in question took place at TD Garden, where the Celtics secured a hard-fought 112-108 victory over the Spurs. However, what should have been a thrilling showdown between young Spurs star Victor Wembanyama and Celtics icon Jayson Tatum quickly turned into one of the most controversial games in recent memory.
According to Popovich, the officiating was heavily skewed in Boston’s favor, with questionable calls repeatedly going against San Antonio. From phantom fouls on Wembanyama to a critical no-call in the closing seconds, Popovich believes the referees played a direct role in the outcome.
“This wasn’t basketball. This was bribery, plain and simple,” Popovich fumed in his postgame press conference. “I’ve been in this league for nearly three decades, and I’ve seen bad calls before. But this? This was something else. Someone wanted the Celtics to win tonight, and they made sure of it.”
The Calls That Sparked the Allegations
While bad calls happen in every game, several key moments stood out in this contest, fueling Popovich’s claims:
1. The Wembanyama Foul Trouble
From the first quarter, Wembanyama seemed to be targeted by officials. The 7-foot-4 phenom picked up two quick fouls in the opening minutes, forcing Popovich to bench him early. By the third quarter, he had five fouls—several of which appeared highly questionable on replay.
One particularly egregious moment came with 4:32 left in the game when Wembanyama was called for a shooting foul on Jayson Tatum, despite replays showing that he never made contact. The foul sent Tatum to the free-throw line, giving Boston a crucial late-game lead.
2. The Missed Goaltending Call
With just over a minute left, Wembanyama appeared to block a Jaylen Brown layup off the backboard. However, the refs ruled it a clean block, even as slow-motion replays suggested it was a clear case of goaltending. The non-call preserved a two-point Boston lead and sent Popovich into a frenzy on the sidelines.
3. The No-Call on the Final Possession
Down by two with 8 seconds left, Spurs guard Devin Vassell drove to the basket for a potential game-tying layup. As he elevated, Celtics center Kristaps Porziņģis appeared to make significant contact with Vassell’s shooting arm, yet no foul was called. Instead, the ball was tipped out, leading to a fast-break dunk for Boston that sealed the game.
Popovich erupted, screaming at officials before storming off the court.
“Are you kidding me?! That’s a foul every single time!” he yelled as the final buzzer sounded.
Popovich Takes His Complaint to the NBA
Within hours of the game’s conclusion, reports surfaced that Popovich had filed a formal complaint with the NBA, demanding an investigation into the officiating crew. Spurs executives are reportedly compiling video evidence of the alleged biased calls and have requested the league office review the game tape.
In his press conference, Popovich took things a step further by insinuating that money had exchanged hands behind the scenes.
“I don’t want to speculate too much, but let’s be real,” he said. “Someone wanted Boston to win tonight. And when there’s this much money in the league, you have to ask yourself: Why? Who benefits from this?”
His comments immediately set the NBA world ablaze.
NBA and Celtics Respond to the Accusations
League Commissioner Adam Silver quickly addressed the situation, issuing a statement denying any wrongdoing.
“The NBA has the utmost confidence in the integrity of its officiating crews. We take any claims of bias or bribery seriously, and we will review Coach Popovich’s concerns as we do with all postgame complaints,” Silver said.
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla dismissed Popovich’s claims as “ridiculous.”
“Gregg’s a legend, but come on, man. We won fair and square,” Mazzulla said. “If you want to talk about missed calls, let’s talk about how many times Jayson Tatum gets hacked and doesn’t get a whistle.”
Jayson Tatum, who finished with 32 points and 9 rebounds, laughed off the allegations.
“Bribery? Man, that’s crazy talk,” Tatum said. “We just played hard and got the win. Simple as that.”
Fans and Analysts Weigh In
The controversy has divided the NBA community.
ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith defended Popovich, stating, “The man has a point! The officiating was awful. It’s not about conspiracy theories—it’s about accountability. The refs cost the Spurs this game!”
On the other hand, former player and TNT commentator Charles Barkley dismissed the accusations.
“Pop’s just mad because his team lost,” Barkley said. “You can’t blame the refs every time. Sometimes you just gotta take the L.”
Social media erupted with debates, with #NBAFix trending on Twitter.
@SpursFan99: “Popovich isn’t wrong. The NBA is rigging games for big-market teams. This was a disgrace!”
@CelticsNation: “Cry more, Pop. Boston earned this win. Stop making excuses.”
@HoopsInsider: “This needs a full investigation. If refs are truly being paid off, this is a massive scandal.”
The Bigger Picture: Does the NBA Have an Officiating Problem?
While bribery is an extreme claim, many agree that NBA officiating has been inconsistent in recent years. Players like LeBron James and Luka Dončić have repeatedly voiced frustrations about bad calls, while fans have long accused the league of favoring certain teams.
In 2007, the NBA was rocked by the Tim Donaghy scandal, where a referee was caught betting on games he officiated. While the league insists officiating has been clean ever since, moments like these reignite skepticism.
What’s Next?
The NBA’s investigation into Popovich’s complaint is expected to take several days. While it’s unlikely that the league will admit to any wrongdoing, the controversy is sure to keep the spotlight on officiating for weeks to come.
As for the Spurs, they’ll have to move on quickly, with a tough matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks on the horizon. Popovich, however, made it clear that he won’t let this go.
“I just want fairness,” he said. “If we can’t get that, then what’s the point?”
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
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