Embiid missed the final three games of the regular season, was ruled out for the Play-In game against the Orlando Magic, and remained inactive for Game 1 on Sunday, April 19. Head coach Nick Nurse said there is no clear timeline for his return and that Embiid has not yet begun basketball activity.
Ahead of tip-off, ESPN’s Jorge Sedano provided an update on Embiid’s condition, noting the star center likely won’t be back soon. He added that while a return during the series isn’t ruled out, the recovery remains touch‑and‑go and Embiid has not started basketball activities.
Without Embiid, the Sixers face a difficult test against a veteran and talented Celtics squad. The absence compounds the challenge of trying to slow Boston, which is considered a strong playoff opponent and a steep hurdle for Philadelphia as the seventh seed.
Since Embiid joined the Sixers, Philadelphia has yet to topple Boston in the playoffs, a trend that could loom larger if Embiid remains unavailable for multiple games in this series.
The situation remains fluid as the team and medical staff monitor Embiid’s recovery. Philadelphia will lean on its depth and rotation pieces while continuing to assess when Embiid might rejoin the lineup.
