Joel Embiid diagnosed with appendicitis and will undergo surgery in Houston
Embiid’s absence is a major blow for a Sixers team likely needing a win in Houston to avoid the Play-in Tournament.
HOUSTON — After being diagnosed with appendicitis, Joel Embiid had successful surgery on Thursday in Houston, according to the 76ers.
This is another ill-timed health issue for Embiid, and for the Sixers’ postseason outlook. It typically takes multiple weeks to return to exercise such as contact sports following an appendectomy, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
The Sixers entered Thursday’s matchup against the Rockets with a 43-36 record and in eighth place in the Eastern Conference standings with three games remaining. The Sixers are a half-game behind the seventh-place Orlando Magic (44-36), one game back of the sixth-place Toronto Raptors (44-35), and a half-game ahead of the ninth-place Charlotte Hornets (43-37).
“We’ve got to pick ourselves up,” coach Nick Nurse said during his pregame news conference “ … I’m the leader of the team. I’ve got to pick the guys up.”
Embiid was in surgery around 5:30 p.m. local time Thursday. Nurse said Embiid reported stomach pain to medical staff around 3 a.m. Thursday, before a doctor’s visit determined he should undergo the appendectomy. Nurse added during his news conference that the player’s wellbeing was “where most of my thoughts are right now.”
This is the latest injury-affected season for Embiid, who returned March 25 from an oblique strain that kept him sidelined for about a month. The former NBA Most Valuable Player also has dealt with a shin stress reaction and issues with both knees this season. He has averaged 26.9 points on 48.9% shooting, 7.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.2 blocks in the 38 games he has played in 2025-26.
Last week, Embiid publicly criticized the organization for ruling him out of an April 1 win at the Washington Wizards with an illness, after he missed the team’s morning film session. Embiid said he was “[ticked] off” that he found out online that he would not be playing, and that any further questions should be directed at president of basketball operations Daryl Morey.
Without Embiid, Andre Drummond and Adem Bona are the contenders to start at center. Dominick Barlow and Jabari Walker also are small-ball options at the position.
Following Thursday’s game in Houston, the Sixers conclude the regular season with matchups against two “tanking” opponents at the Indiana Pacers on Friday and at home against the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday. The Play-In Tournament begins Tuesday before the first round of the playoffs starts next Saturday.
