Joel Embiid has officially been ruled out of the Sixers’ Game 3 matchup against the Boston Celtics, according to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps.
Embiid was initially listed as doubtful for the game after being a partial on-court participant in the team’s Thursday practice. He is just over two weeks from his surgery date and appears close to a return, just not for Game 3.
"He's lifted some," Head Coach Nick Nurse said of Embiid. "He's got on court a bit, but we're still at two weeks and a day, so we're just not ready yet."
Nurse confirmed that Embiid has played against competition in his rehab and referred to some of his work as "pretty intense."
The Sixers have already stolen home court advantage from the Celtics, but will now face Boston in a pivotal Game 3 without their former MVP. In his stead, the team will continue to rely on Tyrese Maxey, Paul George, and electric rookie VJ Edgecombe.
In Embiid’s place, the Sixers will likely remain with Adem Bona as their starter, with Andre Drummond playing a pivotal role off the bench.
While Embiid will not suit up Friday night, there remains a chance for him to return Sunday as the Sixers host the Celtics for Game 4 of this first-round series.
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