After a stunning victory over the Celtics in Boston in Game 2 on Tuesday night, the Philadelphia 76ers will look to win a second straight game when the series shifts to Philly for Game 3 on Friday night.
The official injury report for the game dropped, and it features a step in the right direction for star center Joel Embiid.
Joel Embiid Listed as ‘Doubtful’ for 76ers for Game 3 vs. Boston
GettyCHICAGO, ILLINOIS – NOVEMBER 04: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at the United Center on November 04, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
After being ruled out for the first two games of the series after undergoing an emergency appendectomy two weeks ago, Embiid is listed as “doubtful” for Game 3. This signifies that while Embiid is unlikely to play, it’s not completely impossible.
This update to Embiid’s status came after Sixers coach Nick Nurse expressed optimism that Embiid could potentially return to game action at some point during the series with the Celtics.
“We’re, obviously, really hopeful, and I think he’s really hopeful,” Nurse said of Embiid. “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 that way. Keeps going that way.”
Embiid is the only player with a designation on the injury report for Philadelphia for Game 3. Everyone else on the roster will be available.
Joel Embiid Participated in Parts of Practice With 76ers Ahead of Game 3
GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 30: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts during the second half against the Atlanta Hawks at Xfinity Mobile Arena on November 30, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
For the fist time since his surgery, Embiid participated in parts of Sixers practice on Thursday, though Nurse emphasized that it was a light practice for the entire team.
“Well, we didn’t do a whole lot out here on the court,” Nurse said. “It’s been a kind of double long film session, and we went through some, you know, just kind of this time of year stuff. We went through a few things we think are bothering us. Make a couple suggestions about ways we want to cover things. So, it’s pretty extensive kind of walkthrough type. It’s a little bit more than a walk through, but not much more, and then on the other side of the ball, same thing.”
Nurse also provided some insight into Embiid’s recovery process, which hasn’t necessarily been linear.
“I think sometimes it’s positive, sometimes it’s not,” Nurse said. “So, you know, I think there’s work being done, and I think he’s got to do it and do more and react, and get some reactions to it, and this and that, and they’re gonna know a lot more, probably by the end of today where he is. I think, you know, it’s, 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.”
Embiid’s final status for Game 3 will be determined sometime on Friday prior to tipoff. Even if he doesn’t play in that game though, it’s clear that he’s moving in the right direction, which should provide the Sixers, and fans in Philadelphia, with some hope.
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