Embiid on track to play in Sixers' preseason finale

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid is on course to appear in the team’s preseason finale on Friday at the Xfinity Mobile Arena, though the club has not reached a final decision on his availability, coach Nick Nurse said Tuesday. Embiid has been ramping up activity following arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in April and participated in portions of Tuesday’s practice by design after taking part in the team’s Blue vs White scrimmage this past weekend.

Nurse described Embiid’s status as promising but still conditional. "I think there’s some chance, yeah. I don’t think we’re there yet. It’s a little early in the week to decide," he said, adding that the team must clear a few thresholds before giving a green light. Team officials said the limited practice work was planned and that Embiid responded well to the scrimmage and subsequent on-court drills. Separately, league sources indicated Embiid has been cleared to suit up Friday, though how many minutes he would play remains undecided.

Embiid’s recovery follows a year of knee trouble that curtailed his availability over two seasons. He appeared in only 19 games last season before undergoing surgery in April, after missing...