Progress is being made in terms of Joel Embiid's injury recovery, but will a limited Embiid elevate or complicate the Philadelphia 76ers' offense?
In a recent interview, Philadelphia 76ers head coach Nick Nurse said, "There's some progress being made" regarding Joel Embiid.
In addition, guard Quentin Grimes has said that Embiid has "been around" and that "he's looking good."
He is doubtful for Game 3 on Friday night.
These updates spark some hope but also raise potential questions.
Embiid's return, even at less than 100%, would change the shape of this series. For the Philadelphia 76ers, it means adding one of the league's most dominant half-court engines back into the lineup. His ability to command double teams, operate from the elbow, and punish mismatches would ease the burden on Tyrese Maxey, who has been relied upon heavily for isolation creation against an elite defense.
Even a limited Embiid creates gravity. Boston would have to collapse more aggressively, which opens up the floor for cleaner oppurtunities for Philadelphia's role players, something that has come thanks to Tyrese Maxey but could be amplified further with the addition of Embiid.
But the other side of this equation is important: what version of Embiid would actually be on the floor?
After time away and limited practice participation, it's unrealistic to expect Embiid to hit the ground running. His overall rhythm will need time to return, and against a team like the Boston Celtics, one that thrives on their methodical, three-point-heavy style of play, any drop-off will be magnified.
There's also some stylistic tension. In their Game 2 win, Philadelphia leaned into a faster, guard-driven approach, with Maxey and VJ Edgecombe spearheading the offense. Reintegrating Embiid could slow things down, shifting the Sixers back into an isolation-heavy, half-court system.
While that can be effective, especially in the playoffs, it requires balance, and that is difficult to establish in the middle of a series.
For Boston, Embiid's return would demand adjustments. The Celtics have the personnel to throw multiple defenders at him and the discipline to keep their eyes on shooters.
Overall, Embiid's presence raises Philadelphia's ceiling but also introduces uncertainty. If he can provide efficient scoring and draw defensive attention without disrupting flow, the Sixers become far more dangerous. If not, his return could complicate an identity that has started to take shape without him.
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Wes Dixon is a contributing writer to 76ersRoundtable. He can be reached at dixonwesley286@gmail.com.