76ers' Nick Nurse Gives Joel Embiid Update Before Game 3

The Philadelphia 76ers were without their superstar center, Joel Embiid, in Wednesday night’s Game 2 loss to the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

After playing 25 minutes in the 76ers’ blowout loss in Game 1, Embiid was ultimately ruled out with ankle and hip injuries before Game 2. He was unable to participate in Philadelphia’s Wednesday shootaround as he dealt with “increased soreness” for both injuries.

Embiid was able to participate in the 76ers’ shootaround on Friday. And according to Philadelphia head coach Nick Nurse, the All-Star big man will “give it a shot” in Game 3.

“He’s getting better all the time. He was a participant in shootaround today,” Nurse said. “I think he’s going to give it a shot here. He’s going to get one last check here to see where he’s at. We’ll see.”

As of an hour before tipoff, Embiid was still listed as questionable.

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Embiid, who missed the start of the postseason after undergoing an appendectomy, returned to the court in Game 4 of the 76ers’ first-round playoff win over the Boston Celtics. He led the team to a furious 3-1 comeback, averaging 28 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists per game.

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Embiid had just 14 points and four rebounds in the 76ers’ Game 1 loss to New York, shooting a disappointing 3-of-11 from the field.

Game 3 will tipoff at 7 p.m. ET.

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This story was originally published May 8, 2026 at 8:59 PM.