Joel Embiid sparks outrage over flopping against Knicks

TL;DR

Joel Embiid faced criticism for his flopping during Game 1 against the Knicks, where he drew seven fouls despite a poor shooting performance. Commentator Ryen Russilo expressed strong disapproval of Embiid's tactics, labeling some fouls as questionable.

Key points

Joel Embiid drew seven fouls in Game 1 against the Knicks
He scored 14 points but shot 3-for-11 from the field
Commentator Ryen Russilo criticized Embiid's foul-drawing tactics

Mentioned in this story

Barstool Sports

Joel EmbiidPhiladelphia 76ersNew York Knicks

Feb 26, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) reacts while clutching his body after a play against the Miami Heat during the second quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

The Philadelphia 76ers were blown out in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Semifinals series against the New York Knicks. Sixers star center Joel Embiid struggled in the game, going 3-for-11 from the field. Despite his struggles shooting, Embiid still scored 14 points on the evening, scoring eight points from the free throw line.

However, Barstool Sports’ Ryen Russilo isn’t a fan of how the former MVP is drawing his fouls, and he’s making his stance on the “foul baiting” very clear.

“I think six of them are bullsh*t,” Russilo said of the seven fouls Embiid drew in the game. The seventh one is so gross that I would again ask the officials, like, ‘Okay, you’re going to go back and review the tape. You’re going to see the 7th foul that he got. Why do you want to give him this stuff?’

“I’m sorry, I can’t stop talking about it just because I can’t believe the officials can have a game where it’s like, hey, he’s just getting tangled on the screen on purpose.”

Russilo feels that what Embiid is doing is contrary to actually attempting to score and play basketball.

“He actually kind of stops playing basketball. And that’s my issue, is that like, man, you’re so good, like the fouls are going to come to you. Don’t prioritize a foul over everything that you’re doing.”

The reality is that if the Knicks continue their red-hot shooting, Embiid will have to employ every trick in the book to keep the Sixers in the series, whether Russilo likes it or not.

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Q&A

What did Joel Embiid do to spark outrage during the game against the Knicks?

Joel Embiid drew seven fouls, which commentator Ryen Russilo criticized as excessive and labeled some as 'bullsh*t'.

How did Joel Embiid perform in Game 1 against the New York Knicks?

Embiid scored 14 points but struggled with his shooting, making only 3 of 11 attempts from the field.

What was Ryen Russilo's opinion on Joel Embiid's foul-drawing tactics?

Ryen Russilo was critical of Embiid's approach, suggesting that several of the fouls he drew were not warranted and questioned the officials' decisions.