Historic 76ers comeback ends Celtics season amid post-match controversy over officiating
The 76ers secured a 109-100 Game 7 upset after Joel Embiid returned from surgery, but Boston's Jaylen Brown has accused the centre of foul-baiting and flopping to gain an unfair advantage.
The Philadelphia 76ers have completed a historic three-game comeback to defeat the Boston Celtics 109-100 in Game 7 of their Eastern Conference first-round series. The victory marks the first time the 76ers have defeated the Celtics in the playoffs since 1982, ending a six-year losing streak between the franchises and concluding Boston's season.
Central to the upset was the return of Joel Embiid, who played through 39 minutes following an emergency appendectomy that had sidelined him for the first three games. Embiid led the 76ers with 34 points and 12 rebounds, while Tyrese Maxey contributed 30 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists. This performance makes them the first pair of teammates in NBA history to record 30 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists in a single Game 7.
Following the match, Celtics guard Jaylen Brown criticised Embiid's conduct, claiming the centre was "flopping around" and receiving "extra calls" that the league rewarded. Brown suggested that foul-baiting helped Philadelphia secure the win, specifically citing two fouls called on him in the fourth quarter against Embiid. He stated that Embiid was pushed to the ground or fought for position to draw whistles, noting that Embiid attempted 11 free throws and made nine.
Brown further contextualised his comments by observing that Embiid's free-throw rate in the game was consistent with his career averages when playing 39 minutes, though he maintained that the officiating environment favoured the 76ers. He remarked, "that's the league we're in," implying that the rules and enforcement mechanisms were being utilised to the maximum extent by Philadelphia.
The controversy arises against a backdrop where Brown has been critical of officiating throughout the series, having been called for 10 offensive fouls in the first six games. He previously noted that he received no explanation for these calls, including one for using his off-arm to generate space as a driver. The CBS Sports report highlights that while players are rarely happy with officiating, the disparity in free-throw attempts was a significant factor in the final outcome.
Ultimately, the 76ers capitalised on a run of eight straight points by Maxey in the final two minutes after Boston missed nine consecutive shots. Boston coach Joe Mazzulla acknowledged the shift in momentum following Embiid's return, but the post-match comments from Brown suggest lingering dissatisfaction with how the officials interpreted contact between the two teams.
