Jaylen Brown Doubles Down on Joel Embiid Criticism, Claims Flopping “Ruined” the Game

The Boston Celtics’ hopes for the 2026 NBA championship were crushed on Saturday night, as they lost to the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 7. Despite taking a 3-1 series lead, the Celtics faltered, losing three consecutive games, including a 109-100 loss in the final game. After the game, Jaylen Brown criticized the officiating and Joel Embiid’s ability to manipulate foul calls to his favor.

Brown’s Criticism of Embiid’s Flopping

On his Twitch stream on Sunday, Brown doubled down on his criticism of Embiid, stating, “Flopping has ruined our game. Joel Embiid is a great player, one of the best bigs in f**king basketball history, flops. He knows it.” Brown’s comments came after a heated exchange with Embiid during the game, where both players were jawing at each other in the second half.

It’s hard to deny Brown’s accusations, as Embiid has been known to exaggerate contact at times, resulting in easy points for the 76ers via the free-throw line. However, the NBA and basketball in general have a lot of theatrics baked into them, and teams often look to gain an advantage by any means necessary.

The Gray Area of Flopping

While Brown’s comments may be seen as a criticism of Embiid, it’s also important to note that flopping is a common practice in the NBA. Many players, including superstars like Brown himself, often exaggerate contact to try and draw foul calls. It’s part of the game, and players are often encouraged to do whatever it takes to help their team win.

Ultimately, Brown’s comments may spark a debate about the role of flopping in the NBA, but it’s unlikely to change the way players approach the game. As one of the best players in the league, Embiid will continue to use every tool at his disposal to gain an advantage, and the same can be said for Brown and other top players.

Find out more about the NBA and the art of flopping on our website, and join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #NBA #Flopping.