76ers' Joel Embiid gives health update following injury scare originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

One of the overriding narratives spanning the opening round between the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics was the health of former MVP Joel Embiid, who, just ahead of the postseason, underwent an emergency appendectomy. The timetable for the Cameroonian’s return wasn’t known at the time, and would have major implications on Philadelphia’s performance, given his output when he is on the court.

While Embiid sat out of the Play-In match against the Orlando Magic and the first three matches against the Celtics, he made his return in game four, dropping 26 points and ten rebounds. But this would be the start of a strong stretch for the former MVP, having two nights of 30 points or more to his name down the stretch, including a 34-point, 12-rebound, six-assist statline in game seven against Boston.

It wouldn’t be as easy as it sounds for Embiid during the final match against Boston, as he was pulled at one point, emerging from the tunnel with what appeared to be a brace on his lower section, as well as taking Maxey’s weight against his knee following a pushoff from Jaylen Brown, late in the fourth quarter.

Embiid provides a light-hearted update

The latter of the two incidents would see Embiid immediately limp up the court after securing the board for his team, which would’ve been a worrying sight for the Philadelphia faithful, but following the win, he provided a humorous update on how he is feeling.

“I feel great, I feel amazing,” Embiid stated to the press. “I was faking it.”

While the Sixers haven’t released their injury report for their opening match against the New York Knicks, it will be something to keep an eye on.

Game one between Philadelphia and New York is set for Monday night, with tip-off slated for 8:00 p.m. EST.

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