The 76ers have elevated Joel Embiid from doubtful to questionable for Sunday’s Game 4 against Boston in Philadelphia. The center has been sidelined for roughly three weeks following an appendectomy and last appeared on April 6 in a loss to San Antonio. According to The Athletic, the club will likely wait until pre-game warm-ups before deciding whether he plays.
Celtics’ frontcourt could face new challenge
Philadelphia has managed to stay competitive in the first-round series on the strength of Tyrese Maxey’s scoring and VJ Edgecombe’s Game 2 heroics. A possible Embiid return would test a Celtics big-man rotation that has been inconsistent through the first three games.
Tatum still searching for top form
Jayson Tatum drained the decisive shot in Boston’s Game 3 win Friday, yet told reporters he does not feel completely back after his own injury absence. “It was a very, very long time for me not to be doing what I love,” he said. Through three contests the forward is averaging 23.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 7.7 assists against 1.7 turnovers—his lowest postseason scoring clip since 2019—but stressed that he cares only about playing “the right way.”
Barnes powers Raptors, coach wants more
After a clutch performance in Game 3, Scottie Barnes delivered 23 points, nine rebounds (four offensive), six assists and three blocks Sunday as Toronto defeated Cleveland to even their series at 2-2. Head coach Darko Rajaković praised the 22-year-old forward but insisted greater growth is ahead. “He’s at 60 percent of the player he’s going to be in two, three years,” Rajaković said, predicting Barnes will rank among the league’s elite.
Fernandez embraces Nets extension
Brooklyn head coach Jordi Fernandez, who just signed a multi-year contract extension along with his staff, said he would “sign right now to do it for the rest of my career,” per the New York Post. With the Nets’ roster outlook unsettled, the organization views coaching continuity as a stabilizing factor. Fernandez acknowledged the responsibility to keep driving the team toward renewed competitiveness.
Source: Hoops Rumors
