The Boston Celtics defeated the Orlando Magic in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round playoff series. It was a convincing win for the defending champions, as neither Jayson Tatum nor Jaylen Brown needed to do much offensively.

Brown, the reigning Finals MVP, scored just 16 points. Tatum added just 17 points, yet Boston cruised to victory behind a 30-point outburst from Derrick White.

With a chance to add to his total, Tatum missed two free throws following a Flagrant 1 foul on Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Spending some time on the ground after falling on his wrist, Tatum took his two shots before Boston was given another possession.

Many NBA fans were irate with the decision to rule this a flagrant, and calls have been mounting for the league to make a change.

“That was a flagrant 1,” a fan asked with laughing emojis. “@NBA Fix ur rules.”

“#NBA please change the flagrant foul rule,” another implored. “How that was a flagrant on Tatum’s dunk is beyond me. Or make a rule that you aren’t allowed to attempt dunks. Banchero and Caldwell-Pope just challenged a dunk attempt, perfectly acceptable part of the game.”

“If that’s a flagrant foul against Orlando then the NBA is finished, no physicality left in the game,” said another.

“It’s a flagrant foul because Tatum landed on his wrist? NBA rules have gotten so soft,” a fan claimed.

“man the NBA needs a hard reset on officiating / rules,” added one fan.

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum

John Jones-Imagn Images

This ruling by the officials ultimately had no impact on the game’s final outcome, as Boston cruised to a 103-86 victory in Game 1. These two teams will meet again at TD Garden for Game 2 on Wednesday. 

Tatum’s health we be something to monitor, as he was seen flexing his wrist on the bench after checking out for the final time.