The Sixers are getting reinforcements as they look to pull even in their series with Boston, as ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that star big man Joel Embiid will return in Game 4 after a multi-week absence following appendicitis surgery (Twitter link).
After being upgraded from doubtful to questionable earlier in the day, Embiid went through warm-ups and was ultimately cleared to play. The former MVP had a thick wrap around his stomach as he went through his pregame routine, PHLY Sports’ Kyle Neubeck reports (via Twitter).
Embiid did not look 100% as he went through warm-ups, according to Tony Jones of The Athletic (via Twitter), who cautioned fans to not expect too much from him immediately out of the gate.
Still, Embiid has been reinserted into the starting lineup, notes Derek Bodner of PHLY Sports (via Twitter), and it’s unclear if he will be playing with a minutes restriction. Kelly Oubre Jr., who was questionable with a sore oblique, has also been cleared to play, per Jones (via Twitter).
The Sixers tied the series 1-1 behind impressive showings from the Tyrese Maxey – VJ Edgecombe backcourt in Game 2, but they dropped a hard-fought Game 3 by a score of 108-100. They will look to take advantage of the home court advantage on Sunday to get themselves back on even footing heading to Boston for Game 5.
Let’s go! Hopefully he can give us like 20 strong minutes or something. This is a different series if Embiid has been available for even that in the first three games.
Yeah, Boston would have won all three of them.
Absolutely no effort on the boards tonight.
This is the Payton Pritchard game thus far.
He looks in shape. Better than I seen him in a long time. Better stop Pritchard
Too bad the rest of the team didn’t show up.
Celtics spanking them lols. Embiid looks ok
How do you let Prichard get 32. Should of put Grimes on him.
Show Pritchard some respect. great handle, sneaky good around the rim, unlimited range. Nobody LET him get 32, he took it.
He is sneaky good. I just don’t like him lol. He kills my Knicks.
Can’t disagree with you there. Good player, very annoying.
I love Prichard! I can definitely see how people could find him annoying though.
Shoulda stayed home
Welp, I called that putt early.
Fire Morey…Fire Nurse
Celtics are for real, they are going all the way if they stay healthy.
Be around for next series Davey J. Should be entertaining. Vucevic is a guy Warriors should really consider imo.
If Kerr is gone then they can get a big way better than Vuc.
Celtics not resigning him. They can draft a center with their pick. Queta has stepped up big time.
Celtics aren’t keeping Vu unless he takes a serious discount to stick around.
He’s so thankful his season is over….
If the Sixers don’t draft a mother father that can rebound idk what they’re doing. They need to get a dude that is 6-9 to 7-ft to play the 4 and rebound the dang basketball and that can defend the position and make an occasional shot from 3.