76ers Share Joel Embiid Update Ahead of Game 3

Ahead of Game 3 on Friday, things have started to trend positively for the 76ers. The team has listed Embiid as questionable. He's the only player on the team's injury report. His co-star, Tyrese Maxey, who suffered a right finger tendon strain in Game 2, was listed as available.

However, things could still change ahead of the matchup.

Head coach Nick Nurse told reporters ahead of Game 2 that Embiid was disappointed that he was ruled out. The 2023 MVP wanted to be present for his team and give them the boost they needed against the Knicks.

"He really wants to be out there," Nurse said. "Coming back from that appendectomy so quickly was not easy for him to do. He has worked extremely hard to get back, and he continues to want to play badly. I feel really bad for him because he really wants to be out there, and we want him out there."

After the loss in Game 2, even veteran star Paul George informed the media that Embiid wanted to play. George said that since the star big man didn't play, he's already started his preparations to be part of the action in Game 3. However, the star forward said that the team would understand if the seven-time All-Star would not be able to return to the lineup on Friday.

Health has been Embiid's biggest weakness. In the regular season, he was limited to 38 games due to various injuries. In the final weeks, he was ruled out due to an emergency appendectomy. He missed six games, including the first three games of the 76ers' first-round series against the Boston Celtics.

He returned to action in Game 4 and helped Philly extend the series and ultimately eliminate the Celtics in seven games. Embiid averaged 28.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists through four games in the opening round.