New Joel Embiid Injury Update on Practice Participation, Timeline to Return for 76ers vs. Celtics

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid was a limited participant in Thursday's practices.

The team and coach Nick Nurse didn't provide much added insight as Philly prepares to play the Boston Celtics in Game 3 of their first-round NBA playoff series:

Embiid hasn't played since the Sixers' 115-102 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on April 6. He underwent an emergency appendectomy earlier this month and is still working his way back.

Philadelphia and Boston split the first two games of the series. The Celtics were 123-91 victors in Game 1 before the Sixers turned the tables in Game 2. VJ Edgecombe and Tyrese Maxey combined to score 59 points in a 111-97 win.

76ers-Celtics Highlights

01:30

Needless to say, having Embiid would be helpful for Philly's upset bid.

During the regular season, the seven-time All-Star averaged 26.9 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game. According to NBA.com, the team was 8.6 points per 100 possessions better with him on the court.

The fact he's still not a full participant in practice doesn't bode well for Embiid's Game 3 availability.

The series will extend to May 2 if it goes the distance. That's not a lot of time for the decorated center to get up to speed. It's premature to say Embiid won't play at all against Boston, but Nurse may want to prepare that way and hope for the best.