Joel Embiid is making progress in his recovery from an appendectomy two weeks ago. Emilee Chinn / Getty Images
April 23, 2026 3:04 pm EDT
CAMDEN, N.J. — Philadelphia 76ers star center Joel Embiid was a partial participant in practice on Thursday morning, the 76ers told reporters.
Philly head coach Nick Nurse said Thursday’s practice amounted to being slightly more than a walkthrough. The 76ers didn’t do much work on the floor, but Embiid went through some of the Sixers’ practice.
Embiid has been out of action for the last two weeks, as he recovers from an emergency appendectomy, which he suffered in Houston. He has missed the first two games of the 76ers’ matchup against the Boston Celtics. With Game 3 scheduled for Friday night, the 76ers haven’t yet given an update on his status. But he’s been rehabbing on a strength and conditioning program for most of the week. He is clearly making more progress toward a potential return.
“It’s just good to see him in the building and to have him around the team,” Philadelphia guard VJ Edgecombe said. “I just ask him how he’s doing when I see him. I ask him how his family is doing. I don’t really want to ask him too much basketball-related questions. I know the whole world wants to know if he is going to play, or not.”
Embiid would be a major help to the Sixers. He averaged 26 points per game this season, while playing in 38 games. But his shooting and scoring ability as a 7-footer would be important for Philadelphia to have, alongside Edgecombe, point guard Tyrese Maxey and small forward Paul George.
One advantage Philly has is that they’ve won a game in the series. It potentially buys them more time to try and get Embiid as healthy as possible. Had the Sixers been down 2-0 heading into Friday night, there might have been more urgency to get him back on the floor. Does the update mean Embiid is closer to playing on Friday night? Probably not. But it could mean a possible return in either Game 4 or Game 5.
A typical timeline for returning from an appendectomy is approximately two to three weeks. Embiid returned to physical activity slightly before that.
Apr 23, 2026
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