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Joel Embiid puts together strong outing in his return to action.

Philadelphia 76ers star center Joel Embiid got the best of the Boston Celtics in the first-round series between the two teams.

Embiid missed the first three games of the series after undergoing an emergency appendectomy and the Celtics jumped out to a 2-1 lead. The Sixers lost Embiid’s first game back to fall behind 3-1, but the former MVP dominated over the next three games to help propel the Sixers to their first win over the Celtics in a playoff series since 1982.

Jaylen Brown Says Joel Embiid Was Rewarded For Flopping in Game 7 vs. Celtics

GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – APRIL 26: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers pumps up the crowd during the first half of game four of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs against the Boston Celtics at Xfinity Mobile Arena on April 26, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

Embiid finished Game 7 with 34 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists. He also shot a game-high 11 free throws, which Celtics star forward Jaylen Brown took some umbrage with.

After the game, Brown credited Embiid for his impact on the series, but he also called the big man out for flopping – and the refs for rewarding it.

“It was tough. Embiid put a lot of pressure on us, on all of our bigs and our guards. We didn’t really have an answer for him. We tried a bunch of different things. He’s a big body and he also was flopping around and got some extra calls and stuff like that and they rewarded him for that. But you know, that’s the league that we’re in. I mean, that’s all I got to say.”

Brown criticizing anyone for something foul-related is somewhat ironic given how often he’s called for offensive fouls for pushing off with his arm, but he’s certainly entitled to his opinion. Plus, he was understandably frustrated.

Brown tallied 33 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists in the game, but ultimately his production wasn’t enough to propel the Celtics to a victory without Jayson Tatum, who was ruled out of the game due to a knee issue.

This story will be updated.