76ers star Joel Embiid will play Game 3 vs. Hawks [UPDATE]

Update — Embiid has been officially listed as available to play, meaning he will take the floor for the 76ers in Game 3. This isn’t really a surprise given his performances in Games 1 and 2, but Philadelphia continues to list him as questionable before games before ultimately giving him the green light to play.

Update — While Embiid is still officially listed as questionable, 76ers head coach Doc Rivers expects the star center to play Game 3. Rivers said Embiid still has to clear the pre-game checkpoints to play, but feels good. Embiid played in Games 1 and 2 despite receiving the questionable designation.

Update — Embiid is officially questionable to play in Game 3 vs. the Hawks, but expect him to take the floor after playing Games 1 and 2 with no restrictions. Embiid went for 40 points and 13 rebounds in Philadelphia’s Game 2 victory and will look to help the Sixers reclaim home-court advantage in the series.

Update, Game 2: Embiid will start after being listed as questionable for Game 2 vs. the Hawks on Tuesday night.

Update: Embiid is listed as questionable on Philadelphia’s injury report despite playing 38 minutes in the team’s Game 1 loss, according to Mike Conti. He’s likely going to remain day-to-day for the postseason as the 76ers try to keep his condition under wraps, but expect Embiid to be ready to go by tip. Unless he has aggravated the injury, he’s likely to play.

Update: Embiid will play on Sunday and be a part of the starting lineup. It’s unclear whether he’ll be on a minutes restriction, but the star big man could have trouble keeping up with Clint Capela, who’s arguably the NBA’s most active center when it comes to running the floor.

Joel Embiid is officially questionable to play in Game 1 of the Philadelphia 76ers’ second-round playoff series vs. the Atlanta Hawks, according to Shams Charania. Embiid is dealing with a meniscus tear he sustained in Game 4 of Philadelphia’s first-round series with the Washington Wizards. The team has officially listed him as day-to-day as he recovers.

Embiid could still play in the contest if his treatments and workouts go according to plan. If he remains out, expect Dwight Howard to play a major role in the middle. The 76ers might also go small by surrounding Ben Simmons with capable shooters if the star center is out.

A finalist for NBA MVP, Embiid averaged 29.3 points and 7.0 rebounds in the first three games before exiting Game 4 with the injury. Given his history of knee issues and injuries, the 76ers will want to make sure he’s 100 percent ready to go before playing him. The Los Angeles Lakers watched Anthony Davis attempt to play through a groin strain in Game 6 before departing after about five minutes. Fortunately for Philly, this isn’t an elimination game.

The 76ers (-3) are favored to win Game 1 (-109) and the series (-200). According to DraftKings Sportsbook, this series is expected to go somewhere between five or six games at the moment. Embiid’s status will certainly impact these lines going forward and is something bettors should monitor.