Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic and Boston Celtics standout Jaylen Brown have voiced their concerns about the playing conditions on the NBA In-Season Tournament courts. While the specially designed courts were intended to add a unique atmosphere to these tournament games, they have become a source of controversy.

The color schemes of some courts have faced criticism from fans, and now, players like Luka Doncic and Jaylen Brown are expressing dissatisfaction with the playing conditions. Brown, despite the Celtics securing a 108-105 victory against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena, was notably frustrated in his postgame press conference. He raised issues about the court floor’s quality, particularly highlighting a near-injury incident where he slipped and nearly sustained a groin injury.

“I slipped. That’s it. I slipped. I think I might have strained my groin a little bit. We’ll see how it feels, but the court was just slippery all game,” Brown said, per Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe. “Tonight I thought the floor was unacceptable. I think guys were slipping all over the place, not just me.”

Additionally, the Celtics star emphasized the need for the league to take a more proactive approach in evaluating the safety of the NBA In-Season Tournament courts, particularly given the introduction of the tournament to generate fan excitement. Jaylen Brown’s comments underscore a call for increased scrutiny and measures to ensure the well-being of players on these specially-designed courts.

“I think as players we’re all here for the In-Season Tournament because it’s going to generate revenue, excitement, competition, but we’ve got to make sure the floor is safe to play on. We can’t put our players out there and risk their health,” Brown added.

Raptors big man Precious Achiuwa echoed Jaylen Brown’s sentiments, expressing that he had to approach the game with added caution due to the concerns raised about the NBA In-Season Tournament courts. Achiuwa acknowledged the need for vigilance, especially in light of his recent injury problems, highlighting a shared sentiment among players regarding the playing conditions of these specially-designed courts.

“It was slippery. I slipped a few times… I’m not trying to get hurt, especially for a guy that missed (time with a groin injury). Coming back, I’m extra cautious,” Achiuwa added, per Josh Lewenberg of TSN.

With Jaylen Brown, Luka Doncic, and Precious Achiuwa all expressing concerns about player safety on the NBA In-Season Tournament courts, it becomes a significant issue that involves multiple players. The repeated complaints indicate a potential lack of regard for player safety in the design or maintenance of these special floors. If the problem persists and more players voice similar concerns, it may lead the league to reconsider or discontinue the use of these special floors in the interest of prioritizing player well-being.