Sixers Notes: Embiid, Backcourt, Oubre, Game 2 Tweaks

The Sixers were missing Joel Embiid in their Game 1 loss to the Celtics, but he is working to get back on the floor after a bout of appendicitis that required surgery earlier in the month, Adam Aaronson writes for the Philly Voice.

According to the Sixers, Embiid has begun a strength and conditioning program in an effort to return to play, but he remains without a definitive timeline.

While the former MVP dealt with a variety of ailments this year, his presence has been crucial for the Sixers, who went 24-14 with him this season, compared to their 21-23 record without him. Embiid holds career playoff averages of 25.9 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks in 15 career playoff games against the Celtics.

Aaronson notes that while Philadelphia still hopes that Embiid will suit up in the first round, it would likely take the team extending the series past four games to make that happen.

We have more news from the Sixers:

• Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe have established a close-knit chemistry throughout their first season together, writes Gina Mizell of the Philly Inquirer. They have managed to form a playful bond while simultaneously holding each other accountable and pushing each other to improve. “We’re hard on each other, and then we also understand,” Edgecombe said about their occasional on-court spats. “Every time he has something to say, I know it’s always coming from a place of love.” Maxey called the rookie his “little brother,” while Edgecombe said he hopes the duo will go down in the history books together.
• It took a while for Kelly Oubre Jr. to find his ideal NBA path, but with the Sixers, he has blossomed into a more mature, well-rounded veteran, Mizell writes. Head coach Nick Nurse often praises the athletic wing for his ability to fill whatever role is needed, which Nurse said is crucial, especially given the lineup insecurity the team has faced over the last couple of years.
• After losing Game 1 to Boston by 32 points in a game they never led, the Sixers will need to make some adjustments if they want a chance to steal a game on the road, Aaronson writes. Cutting down on unforced errors, especially communication breakdowns on defense that lead to open looks for Celtics shooters, will be paramount. The team also needs either Edgecombe or Paul George to step up and take the role of secondary scorer behind Maxey. George told Maxey after Game 1 that the Sixers hadn’t made the Celtics feel like it was a playoff game, allowing them to get comfortable early and not doing anything to make them uncomfortable, according to Tony Jones at The Athletic.