76ers' Nick Nurse provides optimistic update on Joel Embiid

76ers' Nick Nurse provides optimistic update on Joel Embiid originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Joel Embiid appears to be moving in the right direction when it comes to a return to game action for the Philadelphia 76ers.

After being ruled out for the first two games of Philadelphia's first-round series with the Boston Celtics, Embiid was upgraded to doubtful for Game 3 on Friday night.

Nick Nurse 'really hopeful' that Joel Embiid will play in series vs. Celtics

This change came on the heels of Embiid participating in parts of practice with the Sixers on Thursday, which led to optimistic remarks from Sixers head coach Nick Nurse regarding a potential return from Embiid during the series with Boston.

"We're, obviously, really hopeful, and I think he's really hopeful," Nurse said. "He wants to play, and we want him to play. I don't know how close we are to that at this point, but I think there's some progress being made. Let's hope it keeps that way. Keeps going that way."

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Embiid is two weeks removed from undergoing an emergency appendectomy, so the fact that we're even talking about a potential return to NBA basketball so quickly is a testament to Embiid's toughness and his desire to be out on the floor with his teammates.