The Philadelphia 76ers suffered a tough 108-100 defeat to the Boston Celtics in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night, and they had to do it without their superstar center Joel Embiid. The 32-year-old big man was officially ruled out about two hours before tip-off as he continues to recover from an emergency appendectomy performed two weeks ago in Houston.
Joel Embiid | Center-Forward | Philadelphia 76ers | NBA.com
Embiid had been ramping up his activity this week, starting a strength and conditioning program on Monday, taking part in full practice Thursday, and joining the morning shootaround Friday. However, after meeting with the team’s medical staff, doctors determined he wasn’t quite ready to return to game action just yet.
“He’s just not ready,” 76ers head coach Nick Nurse said before the game. “He’s lifted some, he’s got on court a bit, but we’re still at two weeks and a day, I think. So we’re just not ready yet.”
Embiid first rejoined the team last Wednesday, sitting on the bench during their play-in win over the Orlando Magic. He remained in Boston for Games 1 and 2 to focus on his recovery, and the big question now is whether he’ll be available for Game 4 on Sunday back in Philadelphia.
Injured Joel Embiid, Paul George watch from the 76ers’ bench once again – Newsday
This season, Embiid appeared in 38 games and posted strong averages of 26.9 points and 7.7 rebounds while working his way back from previous left knee issues. Two years ago in the playoffs, he famously battled through Bell’s palsy in a first-round series against the New York Knicks.
The 76ers will look to bounce back and keep their series hopes alive as they face the rival Celtics without their MVP-caliber anchor for at least one more game.