Kelly Oubre Jr. gives love to sidelined Sixers star Joel Embiid

BOSTON -- As the Philadelphia 76ers move forward with their Round 1 series with the Boston Celtics, they will have to continue to fight without Joel Embiid. The big fella underwent an appendectomy on April 9 and has been sidelined since as he recovers from the major surgery.

The Sixers did announce on Monday that he has begun a strength and conditioning program, but one should not expect Embiid to return any time soon. He still has to overcome so many obstacles to be able to return to play for Philadelphia. One doesn't have something as serious as an appendectomy and return to play in two weeks.

When looking at NBA players who had the surgery in the past, Embiid is likely weeks away still as he continues his recovery. However, if he were to return at some point? It would, obviously, give the team a big boost.

"At the end of the day, it'll be the biggest lift that we could ask for right now," said Kelly Oubre Jr. after Tuesday's Game 2 win over the Celtics. "He’s such a talent, and he's our guy, so, you know, praying for his recovery, and I hope everything is going well back at home. We're gonna go home and check on him. Everybody's gonna huddle around him and say a prayer so that he can come back, but, you know, I think he's doing everything that he possibly can, so I think it'll be the biggest lift that we could ask for."

Until the Sixers can get an idea of an Embiid return, they will look to Oubre and others to continue stepping up and producing at a high level. Game 3 against the Celtics is set for Friday night at the Xfinity Mobile Arena.

This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Kelly Oubre Jr. gives love to sidelined Sixers star Joel Embiid