Celtics' Jaylen Brown Blasts Embiid as Flopper, Then Slams Media After Series Loss

Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics drew backlash after labeling Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid a flopper following Boston's loss in Game 7 of their first-round playoff series. The Celtics blew a 3-1 lead and lost at home despite the 76ers playing much of the series without their MVP.

Brown first called out Embiid on a postgame livestream, accusing him of duping officials and media coverage. As the comments spread, Brown posted on X: "Clickbait is like flopping for the media, exaggerating contact. Y’all be safe out here."

Critics piled on. Former Celtics teammate Jeff Teague said on The Rich Eisen Show, "I think that’s a sore loser. You were up 3–1. You had enough opportunity to win a game and take over."

Brown also described the season as his "favorite year," a remark that drew fire after the early exit. Stephen A. Smith addressed it on ESPN’s First Take. "You get paid over $300 million. You were up 3-1. Did you say anything then? No," Smith said. "That is not why the Celtics lost... they played dumb basketball down the stretch."

In Game 7's closing minutes, Boston took six straight three-point shots instead of driving to the basket, contributing to the collapse. Kendrick Perkins captured the sentiment on the Road Trippin’ podcast, saying the 76ers "walked into your m**********g crib, shoes all muddy, and kicked their feet up on your coffee table."

Brown's shots at Embiid and the media came after Boston squandered three chances to close out the series.