It’s not a huge surprise, really, that even with a looming playoff series against the Boston Celtics, star center Joel Embiid is not ready to return to action a little more than a week after an emergency appendectomy. Generally speaking, return to play after a surgery like that is measured in weeks, not days, and there’s only a small chance that the Sixers will get their behemoth big man back in time for this series against Boston.
The NBA’s stretched-out postseason slate does give Embiid a chance to play, if he can knock a bit off the expected four weeks it would normally take to recover from an appendix removal. The Celtics’ series against Philadelphia begins on Sunday, April 19, and could extend into May if the Sixers can hang with heavily favored Boston. Game 6 is slated for April 30.
All hope is not lost for Embiid against the Celtics, then, though it is fair to wonder whether he really wants to get back on the floor considering the opponent. Embiid has gone 0-3 in series against the Celtics in his career, with a combined record of just 3-12.
Sixers Won’t Have Joel Embiid for Game 1
On Friday, speaking to reporters, Sixers coach Nick Nurse made the official confirmation of Embiid’s stats for Game 1–he’s a no-go. Nurse said he really could not comment on what will happen with Embiid from there.
“You know what? I’m preparing for Sunday’s game, and I know he’s not playing in that one,” Nurse said of Embiid. “So, that’s all. We’re just like zeroed in on trying to see, can we go in there and get ready to battle and fight and execute as best we can? And then we’ll start figuring—anything that changes, you know, the series becomes a series. Anything that changes starts probably right in the middle of that game, and then we take it from there.”
Caution Remains for Celtics
Still, make no mistake, the Celtics are wary of this Sixers team, which has more talent than its 45-37 record indicated. The Sixers have struggled with health and (in the case of Paul George, who was suspended for 25 games) availability in general. Kelly Oubre played only 50 games, Embiid played 38 and George played 37.
But, when healthy, it’s a potentially formidable roster.
“We’ve been seeing Paul George at his best, (Tyrese) Maxey at his best,” said Mazzulla on Friday. “With those guys out throughout the season, they’ve had their role players (to) have been able to develop into big-time roles, with the way (Kelly) Oubre playing, (Andre) Drummond’s been playing, (Adem) Bona has gotten better and better.
“Grimes off the bench (as well). “So, I think they’re a very, very well-balanced team. I think they’re playing some of their best basketball as they get healthier and healthier.”
The Celtics will open with two games at TD Garden, on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET and Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET.
Celtics Get Final Decision on Sixers Star Before Game 1