The Sixers are getting reinforcements as they look to tie their series with the Celtics at 2-2, as ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that star big man Joel Embiid will return in Game 4 after a multi-week absence for 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 pre-game routine, PHLY Sports’ Kyle Neubeck reports (via Twitter).
Tony Jones notes (via Twitter) that the star big man did not look 100% as he went through warm-ups, and cautioned fans to not expect too much from him immediately out of the gate.
Embiid has been re-inserted 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, but they dropped a hard-fought Game 3 108-100. 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.
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