April 23, 2026
Bill Streicher/Imagn Images
Joel Embiid was a partial participant in the Sixers' Thursday practice.
Joel Embiid (post appendectomy surgery recovery) is doubtful for Game 3 of the Sixers' first-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics in Philadelphia on Friday night, according to the team's initial injury report for the game unveiled on Thursday:
The Sixers have an injury report for tomorrow's Game 3 vs. Boston:
— Adam Aaronson (@SixersAdam) April 23, 2026
Joel Embiid – post appendectomy surgery recovery – DOUBTFUL
When this game tips off, Embiid will be 15 days removed from surgery.
Embiid, two weeks to the day of his emergency appendectomy, was a partial participant in the Sixers' practice on Thursday. Sixers head coach Nick Nurse described it as a lighter day in terms of on-court work, but the Sixers' official updated report said Embiid was back to doing on-court work, with the implication being he was involved in at least a portion of what the Sixers did from a physical perspective.
Joel Embiid is doubtful to play in Sixers-Celtics Game 3. What does that actually mean? Embiid was listed as doubtful on five initial injury reports this season. Here is what happened each time: pic.twitter.com/L3HbOOQCfx
— Adam Aaronson (@SixersAdam) April 23, 2026
Meanwhile, Boston's injury report is clean:
Injury Report for tomorrow at PHI:
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 23, 2026
No injuries to report
After being blown out and uncompetitive in a Game 1 loss at TD Garden, the Sixers pulled off a resilient win in Boston in Game 2 on Tuesday night, with VJ Edgecombe and Tyrese Maxey powering a stellar effort to notch a 1-1 series tie.
