Celtics' Jaylen Brown Critiques Embiid's Foul Tactics in Game 7 Showdown
Joel Embiid secured a pivotal victory for the Philadelphia 76ers, defeating the Boston Celtics 109-100 in a historic Game 7 on Saturday night. This win marked Embiid's first Game 7 triumph in his career, showcasing his skills with a game-high 34 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists. His return from an emergency appendectomy in Game 4 played a crucial role in the series, leading to Boston's first blown 3-1 series lead in franchise history. However, after the game, Celtics star Jaylen Brown expressed dissatisfaction with Embiid's performance, suggesting that the big man engaged in foul-baiting tactics that contributed to the 76ers' success. Brown remarked, "Embiid put a lot of pressure on us... He also was flopping around. He got some extra calls and they rewarded him for that, but that's the league we're in." Embiid attempted 11 free throws during the game, making nine, consistent with his regular-season average of 8.8 attempts per game. Despite this, Brown's frustrations were evident, especially since he personally fouled Embiid twice in the fourth quarter during critical moments. Throughout the series, Brown faced challenges with officiating, being called for 10 offensive fouls in the first six games. He had previously stated, "I got nothing for you" when pressed about the officiating. While players often express discontent with refereeing, the Celtics ultimately couldn't overcome the 76ers' advantage at the free-throw line. As the season comes to a close for Boston, it’s clear that navigating foul calls and player tactics will remain a topic of discussion.
Source: CBS Sports - 2026-05-03