PHILADELPHIA -- Joel Embiid was ruled out about two hours before Game 3 of the Philadelphia 76ers' first-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics. Embiid was listed Thursday evening as doubtful -- two weeks after undergoing an emergency appendectomy in Houston.
Embiid has been intensifying his on-court work this week. He began a strength and conditioning program Monday, participated in both parts of practice Thursday and took part in the team's morning shootaround Friday in South Philadelphia.
He then met with the 76ers' medical staff Friday afternoon, and while he continues to progress from the appendectomy, they deemed him not ready to be cleared to play in a game.
"He's just not ready," 76ers coach Nick Nurse said during his pregame availability ahead of Friday's game. "He's lifted some, he's got on court a bit, but we're still at two weeks and a day, I think. So we're just not ready yet."