Despite Joel Embiid undergoing an appendectomy less than a month ago, there is hope within the Sixers organization that he will return in the playoffs.
Embiid has already returned to the court, and Sixers head coach Nick Nurse told reporters that the former MVP participated in “a little bit more than a walkthrough.”
Embiid last took the floor on April 6 against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs. He logged 39 minutes and finished with a game-high 34 points and 12 rebounds.
Though limited to 38 regular-season games, the former scoring champion averaged 27 points per game in 32 minutes played.
When healthy, Embiid is still among the most elite scorers in the league. Nurse believes there’s a chance he gets a few more buckets this postseason.
“We’re, obviously, really hopeful, and I think he’s really hopeful,” Nurse told reporters, according to Sixers Wire’s Ky Carlin. “He wants to play, and we want him to play. I don’t know how close we are to that at this point, but I think there’s some progress being made.”
Nick Nurse Provides Update on Embiid’s Recovery
GettyPhiladelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid participated in more than a walkthrough this week
While expressing hope for his return, Nurse revealed that Embiid’s progression is not linear.
“Sometimes it’s positive, sometimes it’s not so (positive),” Nurse said of the assessments from Sixers medical staffers on Embiid. “I think there’s work being done. He’s got to do it, then do more. And get some reactions to it. I think we’ll know a lot more probably by the end of today.”
Nurse indicated that Embiid’s next practice session could be more intense, which would allow the team to gauge if his return is near.
“It’s kind of like the work increases a little bit, and then we’ve got to see how he comes out of that stuff.”
For now, Nurse is grateful to see Embiid return in any fashion. Typically, the recovery time for an appendectomy is between two and four weeks.
The seven-time All-Star appears to be healing on the quicker side of that range.
Sixers Kick Off Homestand With an Even Series
GettyTyrese Maxey and the Sixers return to Philly with an even series against the Boston Celtics
Fueled by outstanding performance by Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, the Sixers managed to steal Game 2 against the Celtics at TD Garden.
Edgecombe, 20, finished the game with a game-high 30 points and 10 rebounds, the first playoff double-double of his young career.
In just his second career playoff game, Edgecombe scored 20 points in the opening half at TD Garden. He is the youngest player ever to record a playoff half with 20 or more points without a free-throw attempt.
Now, after combining for 59 points in Game 2, Maxey and Edgecombe look to stay hot at home.
Over 700 days have passed since the Sixers last hosted a playoff game.
Philadelphia is 23-18 in home games this season.
Game 3 will tip off on Friday, April 24, at 7 p.m. ET at Wells Fargo Center. The playoff matchup will livestream on Prime Video.
Radio broadcasts are available via 97.5 The Fanatic.
Nick Nurse Said Joel Embiid Participated in “More Than a Walkthrough”