Joel Embiid Talks Mindset of Playing Through Injuries in Video After 76ers' NBA Playoff Win

With the Philadelphia 76ers one win away from completing the biggest playoff comeback in franchise history, Joel Embiid admitted he's still fighting through physical issues that limited him to 38 games during the regular season.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Embiid explained that he has to tell his brain that he feels "amazing" in an attempt to help himself push through the various ailments that have plagued him.

It wasn't initially clear if Embiid would even be able to play for the Sixers in their first-round series against the Boston Celtics. He underwent an appendectomy on April 9 and remained in the hospital overnight before being discharged.

Embiid was expected to require 10 to 14 days before starting physical activity, with no timeline for a return to game action. He ultimately returned for Game 4 against the Celtics, putting up 26 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in a 128-96 loss.

It seemed like the Sixers were all but done at that point. They were down 3-1 in the series, having lost back-to-back games at home.

Instead, the 76ers responded by getting a 113-97 win in Boston in Game 5 and returned home on Thursday night to get a 106-93 victory in Game 6.

Embiid only had 19 points on 6-of-18 shooting on Thursday, but he made up for it with 10 rebounds and eight assists to one turnover in 34 minutes.

Tyrese Maxey and Paul George combined for 53 points in the win, offering the best evidence yet that Philadelphia's plan for an All-Star trio was sound as long as they are all healthy.

The 76ers are one win away from erasing decades of misery against one of their biggest rivals. Philly has lost six consecutive playoff series against the Celtics since winning the 1982 Eastern Conference Finals.

These two teams played a Game 7 during the 2023 playoffs, which Boston won 112-88.

Embiid and the Sixers will look to become the first team to overcome a 3-1 series deficit since the 2020 Denver Nuggets.

Game 7 between the 76ers and Celtics from TD Garden will be played on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET.