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Philadelphia 76ers Rally from 3-1 Deficit to Win NBA Playoff Series Over Boston Celtics in Game 7
The Boston Celtics suffered a first-round playoff exit after blowing a 3-1 series lead to the Philadelphia 76ers, who advanced despite playing half the series without MVP Joel Embiid. Jaylen Brown criticized Embiid as a 'flopper' in postgame comments and later targeted media clickbait on X. Critics including Jeff Teague and Stephen A. Smith called Brown's remarks those of a sore loser.
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The Boston Celtics lost their NBA playoff series to the Philadelphia 76ers in seven games, marking a first-round exit after the Celtics had led 3-1. The decisive Game 7 took place at the Celtics' home arena, where Boston failed to close out the series despite three prior opportunities to advance. Philadelphia prevailed even though the 76ers played half the matchup without their MVP, Joel Embiid.
In the closing minutes of Game 7, the Celtics attempted six straight three-point shots rather than driving to the basket, a sequence that underscored their struggles to seal the win. Jaylen Brown, one of Boston's All-Stars, addressed the loss on a postgame livestream, where he labeled Embiid a 'flopper' and suggested the Philadelphia center had duped officials and influenced series coverage.
Brown's comments drew immediate attention for directly naming Embiid, who had been sidelined for much of the series.
As the remarks spread, Brown posted on X to shift focus: 'Clickbait is like flopping for the media, exaggerating contact. He appeared to draw a parallel between perceived media tactics and on-court antics, though the post came after Boston's repeated failures to capitalize on their lead.
Despite the defeat, Brown described the season as his 'favorite year' in the same postgame remarks, a statement that contrasted sharply with the abrupt end to Boston's playoff run.
Criticism of Brown's comments quickly emerged from NBA figures. Jeff Teague, a former Celtics teammate, addressed the remarks on The Rich Eisen Show, stating, 'I think that’s a sore loser. Teague's response highlighted the Celtics' squandered advantage, pointing out that Brown had not voiced similar frustrations when Boston held the series edge.
