The Boston Celtics will travel to Philadelphia on Friday night for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round series against the 76ers, and the big question is, will Joel Embiid suit up for the 76ers?

According to Derek Bodner, the answer is still unclear. While Embiid took part in practice on Thursday, it doesn't sound like he's ready for the intensity and physicality of a game yet, especially a playoff game.

He's been out since April 9 after getting an emergency appendectomy.

When asked what Embiid was able to participate in at practice today, Nick Nurse notes that today's practice was "a little more than a walkthrough", but not much more in terms of intensity level.

Now 32 years old, Embiid is one of the most talented players in the league, but he's been frustratingly unavailable because of injury in several of his years in the league. 

A 10-year veteran, he missed his first two seasons entirely. He's never played more than 68 regular season games and hasn't played more than 39 since 2022-23. Still, he's a seven-time All-Star, a five-time All-NBA selection and a two-time scoring champion. He was the MVP of the league in 2022-23 and is a three-time member of the NBA's All-Defensive team.

He's averaged 27.6 ppg and 10.8 rebounds for his career, and his 8.3 free-throws made per game are the all-time leader in NBA history.

Assuming Embiid is inactive again, the Celtics will have to continue to apply pressure to Tyrese Maxey. The top option on the roster, Maxey has shot a low-efficient 19-for-48 in this series and is just 5-of-16 from three-point range.

If they can continue to make him have to work extra hard on offense, then they can continue to choke off scoring opportunities for Philly.

VJ Edgecombe had a very nice game in Game 2, as did Paul George, but can that be counted on again?

Guard Derrick White took home an important award on Thursday afternoon before the Celtics play the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night in Game 3 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

White was named as the Sportsmanship Award winner, which doesn't carry the same gravitas as the MVP Award or the Defensive Player of the Year, but it's still a nice recognition for what a player means to an organization on and off the court.

White is the second straight Celtics guard to win the award, as Jrue Holliday won it in 2024-25.

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