Since the Philadelphia 76ers eliminated the Boston Celtics, Joel Embiid has been called out by the All-Star forward Jaylen Brown on multiple occasions.
Following Game 7, Jaylen Brown accused Joel Embiid of being a flopper. On a livestream roughly 24 hours later, Brown doubled down. The star forward mentioned that flopping has ruined the NBA, and name-dropped Embiid in that rant.
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith went on a lengthy rant about it on Monday morning.
What Did Jaylen Brown Say About Joel Embiid?
“This is just my personal opinion on basketball—some of ya’ll might disagree—argue with your Grandma. Flopping has ruined our game,” Brown said. “Joel Embiid is a great player. One of the best bigs in f***ing basketball history, flops! He knows it. This ain’t breaking news. It is what it is. … That’s just my opinion.”
Stephen A. Smith Fires At Jaylen Brown
GettyBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – NOVEMBER 21: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the second quarter of the 2025-26 Emirates NBA Cup game against the Brooklyn Nets at TD Garden on November 21, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
“Certainly, Joel Embiid flops sometimes,” Smith stated. “But considering his injury history? It’s not hard to imagine Joel Embiid falls to the floor. … Considering the weakness of his hips, legs, knees, ankles, feet, everything! I mean, this man has had every injury known to man. We expect Joel Embiid to be on the floor more often than not. It’s just the way that it is, and the way that it has been.”
Jaylen Brown certainly isn’t the first to complain about Embiid’s foul-drawing tactics, and he certainly won’t be the last, but Stephen A. Smith doesn’t like the timing of the complaints.
“Here’s why [the complaining] is an awful look for him,” Smith continued.
“You get paid over $300 million. You were an MVP candidate, and you were up 3-1 in the series. Did you say anything then? No, you did not. The fact of the matter is, Joel Embiid missed the first three games of this series, came back in Game 4, and dropped 26 [points], and the Sixers still got blown out. You said nothing. Then all of the sudden, here you are after blowing a 3-1 for the first time in Celtics history and you’re going to complain about him flopping?”
GettyBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MARCH 25: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at TD Garden on March 25, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the Thunder 119-109. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Embiid was a difference-maker for the Sixers in the series, to no surprise. He helped them go 3-1 to complete the comeback. Embiid’s alleged flopping might’ve worked against the Celtics as Brown suggested, but to Smith’s main point, Boston didn’t do themselves any favors.
Their shots weren’t falling consistently. Considering their success has been based on a high volume of consistent three-point shooting, a lack of threes falling hurt the Celtics more than anything else. Yet, Brown’s focus has been on their inability to stop Embiid. For that, Smith is frustrated.