The Sopranos’ three-time Emmy-winning actress, Edie Falco, slammed the Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid as “mean” for a hard foul committed against Jalen Brunson back when they took on the New York Knicks.

Falco starred as Carmela Soprano in the hit drama TV show centered around Italian-American mafia within the New Jersey and New York region, for which the 61-year-old also won two Golden Globes.

But she traded acting for a night at the basketball as she headed to the NBA Playoffs in May 2024, where she watched the 76ers take on the Knicks in the First Round at Madison Square Garden.

However, despite a thrilling 112-106 game that saw the 76ers keep their hopes alive, the night was overshadowed by a foul from Embiid on Brunson when he slapped the Mets‘ number 11 to stop him getting a two-point shot off, leaving Falco angry.

“He’s mean,” Falco said of Embiid to the Roommates Show. “He elbowed you in a game last year, and I was going to go after him.

“I mean, that’s how bad it was. And then, I think I’ve seen you guys play since then, and you guys are all cool with each other. I’m like, ‘You don’t hold a grudge?'”

Brunson moves on from Embiid drama

Whilst Falco was left incensed by the play, Brunson does what so many athletes do by simply moving on and putting it down to a part and parcel of the sport, adding that it isn’t personal between the pair.

“I’ve known Joel (since) before I even got in the league,” Brunson said in response to Falco. “I met him a couple of times.

“It’s just respect there. I think there’s a certain line where there’s respect and you’re competing, and once it’s all done, it’s good.”

The Knicks eventually went on to win the series 4-2 and progressed to the NBA Conference Semifinals, where they lost a narrow 4-3 set of games against the Indiana Pacers. Basketball fans will remember the Boston Celtics became champions.