Kaylah Walton
The talented actress, Edie Falco, known for her Emmy-winning role in The Sopranos, expressed disdain for Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers, labeling him “mean” after a significant foul against Jalen Brunson during a game against the New York Knicks.
Falco, who gained fame for portraying Carmela Soprano in the acclaimed series about the Italian-American mafia, has also earned two Golden Globe Awards throughout her career.
On a different note, she set aside her acting to enjoy a night of basketball during the NBA Playoffs in May 2024, attending the matchup between the 76ers and the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
Despite witnessing an exciting 112-106 victory that kept the 76ers’ playoff hopes alive, the incident involving Embiid’s foul on Brunson cast a shadow over the evening. Falco voiced her frustration as Embiid aggressively slapped Brunson, impeding his scoring opportunity.
“He’s mean,” Falco commented during the Roommates Show, recalling a previous incident involving Embiid. “He elbowed you in a game last year, and I was about to confront him.”
She expressed disbelief over the camaraderie among players post-game, pondering, “‘You don’t hold a grudge?'”
Brunson’s Perspective on the Situation
While Falco‘s anger was palpable, Brunson chose to take a more mature stance, viewing the foul as merely part of the game and lacking personal animosity towards Embiid.
“I’ve known Joel since well before entering the league,” Brunson remarked regarding Falco‘s criticism. “I’ve met him a few times.”
He emphasized a mutual respect between competitors, stating, “There’s respect while competing, but once the game concludes, it’s all good.”
The Knicks ultimately triumphed in the series, winning 4-2 and moving on to the NBA Conference Semifinals, where they faced a close defeat against the Indiana Pacers with a score of 4-3. Basketball enthusiasts will remember that the Boston Celtics clinched the championship that year.
