Mar 25, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) looks on during the third quarter against the Chicago Bulls at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images Bill Streicher
The mystery will of whether Joel Embiid would play in Game 4 against the Boston Celtics went down to the wire, with the team announcing at 6:29 that the former MVP is available Sunday evening.
The team announced a couple of hours before Game 4 that he was still listed as doubtful as he recovers from the appendectomy surgery he had on April 9. The team said that he would participate in a pregame workout and that doctors would check him afterwards to determine his availability. Embiid was then upgraded to probable shortly before 6 p.m. ET.
Joel Embiid, 17 days removed from an appendectomy: pic.twitter.com/qlD4oiEYk6
Asked if Embiid would have a minutes restriction if available, Nurse said no, an apparent inkling that things hadn't even gotten that far.
"We've been through it a bunch before but I'm not even really thinking about plan A and B until I find out what's happening," Nurse said. "We've been through it before and we'll make our decisions and stuff when we know."
Kelly Oubre Jr. was listed as questionable with right adductor soreness, but will play as well. Nurse couldn't pinpoint when the injury occurred, but didn't seem too concerned about his starting forward.
"Just a little soreness, post game soreness," was how Nurse addressed Oubre's health.
Game 5 will be in Boston at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, then the teams will return to Philadelphia, if necessary, on Thursday for Game 6. The last game of the series is scheduled for Saturday in Boston.
