Quentin Grimes, Adem Bona talk sidelined Sixers star Joel Embiid

PHILADELPHIA -- As the Philadelphia 76ers move forward in their Round 1 series with the Boston Celtics, they may be getting some reinforcements in certain superstar big man.

Joel Embiid has been sidelined since undergoing an emergency appendectomy on April 9 and has not played since April 6. However, the big fella is taking big strides in his recovery and the Sixers believe he is close to a return to action as coach Nick Nurse gave an encouraging update before Game 3 which can be read here.

As for the players, they see Embiid. The 2023 MVP winner has been around the team and has made his presence felt even when sidelined.

"He’s been around," said Quentin Grimes at shootaround on Friday morning. "I feel like he’s looking good. So, whenever he’s ready to come back, we’ll be excited to have him back, but for right now, he’s been around the team. In good spirits and everything so it’s been good to see."

In place of Embiid, the Sixers have turned to young Adem Bona along with veteran Andre Drummond to step in and produce in his place. Both players have done a great job of filling in, but obviously, they are not Embiid.

"The point is to have someone like that play," Bona said after the Game 3 loss to the Boston Celtics. "I mean, it’s a different ball game having Joel back in this series. It’s a huge advantage for us. So, I’m just excited to see him back on the floor again."

It remains to be seen if Embiid can return to the floor in Sunday's Game 4, but with the Sixers trailing the series now 2-1, it would be a huge lift for this group.