TITLE: Embiid Still Doubtful for Sunday’s Game 4; Oubre Listed as Questionable
SLUG: embiid-still-doubtful-for-sundays-game-4-oubre-listed-as-questionable
CONTENT:
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid remains doubtful for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first-round series against the Boston Celtics on Sunday, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer. The reigning MVP has not played since undergoing an emergency appendectomy on April 9 but was moved from “out” to “doubtful” before Friday’s Game 3 loss.
Head coach Nick Nurse told reporters Embiid completed an individual on-court workout Saturday. “He’s working as hard as he can to get back,” Nurse said. “We’re just going to have to see how it goes today and tomorrow morning, and maybe we’ll know more toward the end of shootaround.”
Embiid also took part in a light practice Thursday, sparking optimism he could appear later in the series. With Philadelphia trailing Boston 2-1, Sunday’s matchup carries added weight. Backup center Adem Bona, starting in Embiid’s place, called the potential return “a huge advantage for us.”
Oubre Added to Injury Report
Forward Kelly Oubre Jr. is listed as questionable for Game 4 because of right adductor soreness. Oubre logged 40 minutes in Friday’s contest, finishing with 17 points and six rebounds.
Rebounding Woes Costly in Game 3
Without Embiid, the Sixers surrendered 15 offensive rebounds and 22 second-chance points in Friday’s 104-99 defeat. The pivotal sequence came with roughly 40 seconds left, when Derrick White corralled a Nikola Vucevic miss and kicked the ball to Jayson Tatum for a three-pointer that effectively sealed the game.
“The second-chance points are what got us today,” veteran center Andre Drummond said. “Other than that, we played a very well-rounded game. We get those second-chance points off the board, I think we win the game.”
Missed Opportunity
Philadelphia forced 17 turnovers and outscored Boston 42-26 in the paint but could not close out Game 3. “It’s little stuff like that that decides games,” guard Tyrese Maxey said. “Our attention to detail has to be great, because the margins in these games are really small.”
The Sixers host Game 4 on Sunday with the series shifting on the availability of Embiid and Oubre.
Source: Hoops Rumors
