Raptors, Celtics players complain about slippery in-season tournament court

Players on both sides of Friday's Raptors-Celtics game said the new in-season tournament court in Toronto was slippery.

Celtics star Jaylen Brown said he strained his groin after slipping on the court. Cameras spotted brown in visible discomfort on the sidelines late in the 108-105 Celtics win.

"The court was slippery all game," Brown said. "I think we all as players, we're all for the in-season tournament. It's going to generate revenue, excitement, competition etc. 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. Tonight I thought the floor was kinda of unacceptable and guys were slipping all over the place, not just me."

Raptors forward Precious Achiuwa also said he noticed the floor was slippery when asked by reporters.

"I felt myself slip a few times," Achiuwa said. "I think I'm fine with the colour. I just want to play basketball. The extra stuff is just extra. I just want to play basketball but at the same time I'm not trying to get hurt."

The NBA debuted new fully painted courts for the in-season tournament and Friday was Toronto's first game on the new floor. But comments about the new floors being slippery have come from other players across the league with Friday being the fifth game day in the tournament.

"Outside all of the colours the court today was really bad," Mavericks star Luka Doncic said on Tuesday after a tournament game in New Orleans. "It was really slippery. And then some places the ball didn't really bounce. So you know, if we're going to have these courts we're going to make that it's a stable court, so you can play on it."

The Raptors will travel to Orlando for their second tournament game on Tuesday. They will then host the Bulls next Friday before visiting Brooklyn on Nov. 28 to close out group play.