Doc Rivers, the coach of the Philadelphia 76ers, said he hoped he would be the middle star Joel Embiid The Boston Celtics played Wednesday night in a showdown between two of the three teams, along with the Milwaukee Bucks, tied at the top of the Eastern District standings.

“I hope he’s ready,” said Rivers. “You know, he was, he was doing sports and taking out today. We didn’t let him do a lot of things. But he looked good.”

He ruled out Saturday’s loss to Memphis and would have missed Sunday’s match in Oklahoma City if it had been played with a right knee injury. The Philadelphia is 9-2 when Empiide, who averages 25 points and 11.5 rebounds per match, played 0-3, including losses to Memphis and the Cleveland Cavaliers, when he knocked out.

On the other hand, the Celtics wouldn’t have a team Jason Tatum Available. Tatum has been in NBA health and safety protocols since Jan.8, and Celtics coach Brad Stevens said he and his sophomore point guard Carson Edwards They will not travel to Philadelphia for Wednesday’s match because they will remain within protocol.

However, Stevens left the door open so Tatum could return for Friday’s match against the Sixers.

“It will be decided,” he said when asked if Tatum could join the team in Philadelphia later this week.

Meanwhile, the Sixers will likely retake the keeper as well. Furkan Korkmaz, Who has only played three games this season, due to straining the adductor muscle.

“It’s not very fun, frankly, you know, just support from the bench,” said Korkmaz, who trained on Tuesday. “Of course, it’s nice to be with them. But when you don’t compete with them on the field, you know, when you don’t compete with them when we don’t fight together, it’s not the same.

“But now I’m back. I’ll play tomorrow. I’m so excited.”

But while Embiid and Korkmaz will return, Seth Carey He will stay out as he is still in health and safety protocols in the league after testing positive.

Boston, however, will bring back Robert Williams, center, who has been on protocols after testing positive and trained with the Celtics on Tuesday.

Williams said after the practice that she had experienced symptoms after testing positive for the virus and that her daughter, daughter-in-law and mother were all infected with the virus.

“Everyone is in a good mood, you know, they’re fine,” he said. “But, you know, I was more interested in them than myself, obviously.”