The Philadelphia 76ers are set to begin their first-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics, but there is some concern over the status of their star player, Joel Embiid. The 27-year-old center has been dealing with a lingering injury to his right shoulder, and while he participated in Monday’s shootaround, he remains doubtful for Game 1.

Embiid has been one of the league’s most dominant players this season, averaging 28.5 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. However, his injury has forced him to miss several games down the stretch, and the Sixers will be hoping he can make a full recovery in time for the playoffs.

Despite Embiid’s participation in Monday’s shootaround, head coach Doc Rivers was non-committal about his availability for Game 1. “We’ll see. We’ll see how he feels,” Rivers told reporters. “Obviously, we want him out there, but we also want him healthy.”

The Sixers will be facing a tough test in the first round, as the Celtics are a talented team with plenty of playoff experience. Embiid’s presence on the court would be a major boost for Philadelphia, but they will need to be cautious with his injury to avoid further setbacks.

Embiid has been receiving treatment for his shoulder injury over the past few weeks, and the team has been monitoring his progress closely. They will likely take a cautious approach with him, especially early in the playoffs, to ensure that he doesn’t aggravate the injury and make it worse.

The Sixers have a deep and talented roster, but there’s no denying that Embiid is the engine that drives the team. If he is unable to play or is limited in any way, it could have a significant impact on their chances of advancing deep into the playoffs.

As of now, it remains to be seen whether Embiid will be able to play in Game 1, but the Sixers will be hoping for the best. They know how important he is to their success, and they will be doing everything they can to get him back on the court as soon as possible.