Screenshots of the since-deleted post were shared on X by other users
The Boston Celtics faced heavy criticism on Wednesday night after the team’s social media team appeared to share a message in response to the mass shooting in Maine that left at least 22 people dead with a graphic that included the game-winning score from the Celtics' win over the New York Knicks.
The Celtics, according to screenshots shared online, posted a message on X offering the organization's "thoughts" to the city of Lewiston after a mass shooting that spanned two locations left at least 22 people dead and 30 injured.
Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics warms up before the game against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 25, 2023, in New York City. (Elsa/Getty Images)
The post, which does not appear on the team’s social media page as of Thursday morning, also shared a graphic that pictured Celtics star Jayson Tatum and the final score of Wednesday night’s game.
The Celtics did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment confirming the post.
Another post on the team’s social media page shares the same message without the graphic.
There’s simply no way the @celtics actually posted sponsored final score update with a caption about a mass shooting… There’s no way… pic.twitter.com/UKiRimjLaI
— Josh Reynolds (@JoshReynolds24) October 26, 2023
Meanwhile, in Utah, Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown delivered an emotional speech about the shooting while speaking to the media after winning their season opener over the Jazz.
"I don’t even want to talk about basketball," he said. "We played a game, it was fun. Obviously, we won but if we can’t do anything to fix this, it’s over. It’s over for our country for this to happen time after time."
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Police stand guard outside of Sparetime Recreation in Lewiston, Maine, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023. The establishment was the scene of a mass shooting Wednesday night. (David McGlynn for Fox News Digital)
"It’s a sad day. It’s a sad day for our country. It’s a sad day in this world," he continued. "And, until we decide to do something about it, the powers that be, this is going to keep happening. And our kids are not going to be able to enjoy what our kids are about because we don’t know how to fix a problem that’s right in front of us."
A suspect in the deadly shooting has not been named, but a massive manhunt is underway after the Lewiston Police Department identified 40-year-old Robert R. Card, of Bowdoin, Maine, as a person of interest.
According to law enforcement, Card is considered to be "armed and dangerous."
Lewiston Police have stated that Robert Card is a person of interest in a mass shooting on Wednesday. (Lewiston Police Department)
An internal Maine Information and Analysis Center bulletin obtained by Fox News revealed that Card is a firearms instructor and has military experience. It also stated that Card recently reported having mental health issues, including hearing voices, and allegedly made threats to shoot up the National Guard base in Maine.
Fox News’ Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Elizabeth Pritchett, Jacqui Heinrich, Lawrence Richard and David Spunt contributed to this report.
Paulina Dedaj is a Sports Reporter for Fox News Digital.
