Andy BackstromContributing writerThu, April 23, 2026 at 9:31 PM UTC·2 min readThe Philadelphia 76ers are “hopeful” star center Joel Embiid will be able to return for their first-round series against the Boston Celtics less than a month removed from his emergency appendectomy. Embiid, who began a strength and conditioning program earlier this week, took a big step toward making that timely comeback, participating in parts of the Sixers’ Thursday practice.

On Thursday evening, the team listed him as “doubtful” for Game 3, which will be played Friday night in Philadelphia.

The Sixers knotted the series up 1-1 on Tuesday with a 111-97 win in Boston, bouncing back from a humiliating, 32-point defeat in the opener.

Nick Nurse on Joel Embiid, who participated in parts of today's practice."I think we're going to know a lot more probably by the end of today where he is...He wants to play and we want him to play. I don't know how close we are to that at this point, but I there's some progress… pic.twitter.com/yQYVuS3MPV

After being diagnosed with appendicitis, Embiid underwent surgery on April 9. Exactly two weeks later, head coach Nick Nurse was asked Thursday about what kind of feedback he’s been receiving from the team’s medical staff about the one-time NBA MVP’s recovery.

“I think sometimes it's positive, sometimes it's not so,” Nurse said hours before Embiid’s Game 3 status was announced, via PHLY Sports. “I think there's work being done, and I think he's got to do it and do more and get some reactions to it and this and that.

“We're going to know a lot more probably by the end of today where he is because I think, again, it's kind of like the work increases a little bit, and then we got to see how he comes out of that stuff.”

Nurse added: “But we obviously are really hopeful, and I think he's really hopeful. He wants to play, and we want him to play. I don't know how close we are to that at this point, but I think there's some progress being made. Let's hope it keeps going that way.”