76ers' Nick Nurse Provides Joel Embiid Update After Loss to Celtics
The Philadelphia 76ers have gone through several injuries this year, as star center Joel Embiid played just 38 games in the regular season, while star forward Paul George played 37 and guard Kelly Oubre Jr. played 50. However, they're still three wins away from advancing to the second round of the playoffs.
The 76ers finished as the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference after going 45-37 in the regular season and winning their play-in game 109-97 against the Orlando Magic on April 15. They're now in a first-round series with the Boston Celtics, and they won Tuesday's Game 2 111-97 despite Embiid's (abdomen) absence.
However, they lost Game 1 123-91 on Sunday and Game 3 108-100 on Friday, so they need the 2023 NBA MVP back as soon as possible. Philadelphia head coach Nick Nurse provided an update on Saturday, via The Athletic's Tony Jones.
"Philadelphia head coach Nick Nurse said Joel Embiid is doing individual work on the court," he reported. "The Sixers should know more for his Game 4 status by the end of shootaround tomorrow morning."
Philadelphia head coach Nick Nurse said Joel Embiid is doing individual work on the court. The Sixers should know more for his Game 4 status by the end of shootaround tomorrow morning
— Tony Jones (@Tjonesonthenba) April 25, 2026
76ers Could Even Series on Sunday
If Embiid does return for Game 4 on Sunday, Philadelphia's chances of tying the series 2-2 will increase. The seven-foot, 280-pounder averaged 26.9 points on 48.9% shooting (33.3% 3-point) with 7.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.2 blocks over 31.6 minutes in the regular season.
Embiid had an appendectomy to solve his overnight appendicitis on April 9, per NBA.com. The 32-year-old hasn't played since the 76ers' 115-202 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on April 6.
Luckily for Philadelphia, other players have stepped up. Rookie guard VJ Edgecombe led the team with 30 points (12-20 FG, 6-10 3-point) and 10 rebounds in Tuesday's win, while star guard Tyrese Maxey is averaging a team-high 27 points on 39.2% shooting (37.9% 3-point) and 7.7 assists per game in the series. Edgecombe leads with 7.7 rebounds and 1.7 steals.
The 76ers drafted the latter player No. 3 overall out of Baylor last offseason, and the investment is already paying off. The 20-year-old is a shoo-in for First Team All-Rookie honors, as he averaged 16 points on 43.8% shooting (35.4% 3-point) with 5.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.2 steals over 35 minutes (75 games) in the regular season.
Sunday's Game 4 will tip off at 7:00 p.m. ET in Philadelphia. The game will be broadcast on NBC/Peacock.
Related: NBA Makes VJ Edgecombe Announcement After 76ers-Celtics
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This story was originally published April 25, 2026 at 2:18 PM.