Getty

Joel Embiid looks on as the 76ers await his potential return during their playoff series against the Celtics.

The Philadelphia 76ers may be getting closer to a major reinforcement as their first-round playoff series shifts home — but not as soon as Game 3.

Tim Bontemps Suggests Joel Embiid’s Return Likely in Game 4

According to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, Joel Embiid is more likely to return in Game 4 rather than Game 3 as he continues to recover from injury.

“I’m not sure if Joel’s going to play or not, but I would definitely not say he’s not going to play,” Bontemps said on The Hoop Collective podcast. “If you’re measuring the odds, it’s probably more likely he would play Sunday in Game 4.”

Embiid is officially listed as doubtful for Game 3 against the Boston Celtics, with the series shifting to Philadelphia on Friday night.

Joel Embiid Takes Step Forward With Limited Practice

The 2023 NBA MVP participated in portions of Thursday’s practice, a meaningful development after recently being cleared to begin a strength and conditioning program following his appendectomy earlier this month.

Embiid has missed the first two games of the series, but his return to on-court activity suggests progress toward a potential comeback.

Bontemps noted that Embiid’s “doubtful” designation should not be viewed in a typical sense.

“Now, doubtful for Joel is not like doubtful for a lot of people — he very well might not play Friday, but I’ve seen doubtful turn into playing a lot over the years,” Bontemps said.

76ers Respond Without Embiid, Even Series vs Celtics

Despite Embiid’s absence, Philadelphia bounced back with a 111-97 victory in Game 2 to even the series at 1-1.

Led by Tyrese Maxey and rookie V.J. Edgecombe, the 76ers showed improved ball movement and perimeter shooting after struggling in Game 1.

Philadelphia shot 47.8% from the field and connected on 19 three-pointers, demonstrating its ability to generate offense without its dominant interior presence.

Still, Embiid’s absence leaves a clear gap in size and scoring versatility.

Limited Joel Embiid Role Could Still Impact Series

Even if Embiid is not ready for a full workload, Bontemps suggested that a limited role could still be impactful.

“I don’t know how much he’ll be able to play or what the role would be, but if you can have him for 12 to 15 minutes and deploy him in certain spots, his scoring ability becomes a weapon,” he said.

Without Embiid, Philadelphia has leaned heavily on its guards and wings, particularly Maxey and Edgecombe, but lacks a consistent interior threat — something Embiid could immediately address.

Joel Embiid Return Could Energize Home Crowd

Bontemps also pointed to the potential emotional boost of Embiid returning at home.

“Being able to play Embiid, even a little, gives them a different wrinkle at both ends,” he said. “And it’s going to ramp up the crowd.”

With the series now tied, Game 3 marks the 76ers’ first home game of the matchup, setting up an already energized environment.

Celtics Series Outlook Hinges on Embiid Timeline

While Embiid’s status for Game 3 remains uncertain, the focus is shifting toward Game 4 as the more realistic return window.

“We’ll see what happens Friday,” Bontemps said, “but I definitely wouldn’t sit here and say there’s no chance.”

For the 76ers, even the possibility of Embiid’s return adds another layer of pressure on the Boston Celtics as the series enters a critical stretch.

Philadelphia will look to maintain momentum in Game 3 — with the hope that its franchise star is not far behind.