Sixers star Joel Embiid assesses his play in return vs. Celtics

PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia 76ers have risen off the map and back in the fight in their Round 1 series with the Boston Celtics. After trailing this series 3-1, they have battled back to even this series up at 3-3 after a 106-93 win in Game 6 on Thursday to force a Game 7 back in Boston.

A big reason for that is the play of Joel Embiid. Just a few weeks after having an emergency appendectomy on April 9, the big fella is defying all medical logic as he is averaging 26.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 7.3 assists in three games back. He is shooting only 43.5% from the floor and 12.5% from deep, which are below his norms, but it takes him a bit to find that touch after such a long layoff.

"I mean, you look at all the shots I’m getting," Embiid said after the Game 6 win. "Everything is short, in and out, but at some point, I’m bound to have an extremely efficient night. Hopefully, it’s the next game, but just getting back, trying to find your touch, I’ve done the same things over the years getting back, but I’m working on it."

This is nothing new for Embiid. It is always going to take a couple of games to really find that rhythm for him and he knows it. He isn't going to get down on himself or really get upset with what's going on. He is still playing well and he will find that touch at some point on his jumper.

"Can’t get frustrated," Embiid explained. "You look at some of the misses I had in the first half last game, the whole game today, these are some of the shots I make in my sleep. Especially, from mid-range so just gotta keep shooting them, but I’m definitely gonna be better."

"I'm definitely going to be better". That is a phrase that should scare the Celtics heading into Game 7 on Saturday as well as, potentially, the New York Knicks who are waiting the winner of this series in Round 2. The Sixers have found their rhythm and that is scary for the rest of the Eastern Conference.