It’s not a huge surprise, really, that even with a looming playoff series against the Boston Celtics, star center Joel Embiid is not ready to return to action a little more than a week after an emergency appendectomy. Generally speaking, return to play after a surgery like that is measured in weeks, not days, and there’s only a small chance that the Sixers will get their behemoth big man back in time for this series against Boston.
The NBA’s stretched-out postseason slate does give Embiid a chance to play, if he can knock a bit off the expected four weeks it would normally take to recover from an appendix removal. The Celtics’ series against Philadelphia begins on Sunday, April 19, and could extend into May if the Sixers can hang with heavily favored Boston. Game 6 is slated for April 30.
All hope is not lost for Embiid against the Celtics, then, though it is fair to wonder whether he really wants to get back on the floor considering the opponent. Embiid has gone 0-3 in series against the Celtics in his career, with a combined record of just 3-12.
Sixers Won’t Have Joel Embiid for Game 1
On Friday, speaking to reporters, Sixers coach Nick Nurse made the official confirmation of Embiid’s status for Game 1 — he’s a no-go. Nurse said he really could not comment on what will happen with Embiid from there.
“You know what? I’m preparing for Sunday’s game, and I know he’s not playing in that one,” Nurse said of Embiid. “So, that’s all. We’re just like zeroed in on trying to see, can we go in there and get ready to battle and fight and execute as best we can? And then we’ll start figuring — anything that changes, you know, the series becomes a series. Anything that changes starts probably right in the middle of that game, and then we take it from there.”
The Injury: What Happened to Joel Embiid?
Embiid’s emergency appendectomy came as a shock to the basketball world. He had been feeling abdominal discomfort following the Sixers’ regular-season finale. Further evaluation revealed acute appendicitis, requiring immediate surgery.
The typical recovery timeline for an appendectomy is four weeks. That would put Embiid’s return squarely in the middle of the second round — if the Sixers can even get there without him.
Philadelphia is a +600 underdog to win the series. Without Embiid, those odds feel generous.
Caution Remains for Celtics
Still, make no mistake, the Celtics are wary of this Sixers team, which has more talent than its 45-37 record indicated. The Sixers have struggled with health and (in the case of Paul George, who was suspended for 25 games) availability in general. Kelly Oubre played only 50 games, Embiid played 38 and George played 37.
But, when healthy, it’s a potentially formidable roster.
“We’ve been seeing Paul George at his best, (Tyrese) Maxey at his best,” said Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla on Friday. “With those guys out throughout the season, they’ve had their role players (to) have been able to develop into big-time roles, with the way (Kelly) Oubre playing, (Andre) Drummond’s been playing, (Adem) Bona has gotten better and better.
“Grimes off the bench (as well). So, I think they’re a very, very well-balanced team. I think they’re playing some of their best basketball as they get healthier and healthier.”
The Sixers Without Embiid: A Different but Dangerous Team
Without Embiid, the Sixers become a different team. They lose their post anchor, their primary scorer, and their defensive backbone. But they also become faster, more perimeter-oriented, and less predictable.
Tyrese Maxey will be the primary offensive engine. Paul George will handle the ball and create his own shot. Kelly Oubre will provide energy and scoring off the bench.
The Sixers will need all of them to be at their best to have a chance against the Celtics.
The Celtics’ Approach: Respect but No Fear
The Celtics are not taking the Sixers lightly. They have been burned before by underestimating shorthanded opponents. But they are also not afraid.
Boston has the depth, the talent, and the home-court advantage. They have Jaylen Brown, who is playing at an MVP level. They have Jayson Tatum, who is rounding into form after returning from a torn Achilles. They have Derrick White, who is having a historic defensive season.
And they have the experience of past playoff runs.
The Celtics will open with two games at TD Garden, on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET and Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET.
The Verdict: A Golden Opportunity
Joel Embiid is not playing in Game 1. He may not play in Game 2. He may not play at all in this series.
For the Celtics, that is a golden opportunity. They can take control of the series early, put pressure on the Sixers, and potentially close out the series before Embiid even has a chance to return.
But they cannot afford to be complacent. The Sixers are dangerous. They have nothing to lose. And they have players who can get hot and steal games.
The Celtics are the better team. They are the healthier team. They are the more experienced team.
Now, they need to prove it.
Game 1 is Sunday. The stage is set. And the Celtics have a chance to make a statement.